Status of stable isotopes separation at the Electromagnetic Plants of the Russian Research Center, “Kurchatov Institute”

Abstract

The four chamber electromagnetic isotope separator was constructed at the Russian Research Center (RRC) “Kurchatov Institute” more than 50 years ago. During this period, the plant was used for the development of ion sources and separation technologies. Isotopes of over 40 different elements have been separated. About 20 years ago, the reconstruction of two chambers was completed. The homogeneous magnetic field in these chambers was replaced with a field which falls-off on the radius ( r) as 1/ r. After reconstruction, the dispersion was increased by a factor of four and the enrichment of the isotopes was increased considerably. Ion beam collection was also facilitated. Many highly enriched isotopes were produced in the new chambers, including Gd, Yb, Zn, Tl, Pd, and others. One of the important problems now, is the reduction of all aspects of production costs for isotopes. A project to perfect the ion-optic scheme (IOS) for two chambers was carried out with the expected result of a dispersion of 44 mm at 1% relative mass difference. As a result of the modified ion source, increased productivity of the separators is expected. Other areas of ion source development in progress include: development of “standard” ion sources for the separators with inhomogeneous fields, development of high-temperature sources for Pd isotopes, and development of an ion source with sputtering supply for Ir, Pt, and other elements.