Molecular laser isotope separation versus atomic vapor laser isotope separation

Abstract

In this work, the competitive molecular and atomic laser isotope separation methods are investigated to evaluate the potential of each une for more economical fuel fabrication of enriched uranium celas which can be practically used in light water reactors (LWR). The advantages, drawbacks and feasibility of various techniques of laser isotope separation including AVLIS and the main MLIS methods such as MOLIS, CRISLA, and SILARC techniques have been reviewed. Laser isotope separation (LIS) deserves an intensive research, because laser techniques have a number of advantages over traditional ones, such as highly selective elementary separation event, possibility of separating the required isotope, low energy consumption, short start up time and practically single-stage production, which may economize fuel processing [11.