A model for laser isotope separation in SF6

Abstract

We propose a model for the effect of CO₂ laser radiation in decomposing and separating isotopes of SF₆. Analytic expressions for oscillator strengths are derived for discrete‐to‐discrete, discrete‐to‐continuum, and continuum‐to‐continuum energy level transitions. Loss in oscillator strength as the system is driven up the manifold is compensated for by a cooperative power broadening that contains an explicit dependence on level degeneracies. Isotope selectivity and yield at low pressures are computed as a function of laser intensity, and a threshold in yield is found at approximately 14 MW/cm².