Element and isotope separation in a vacuum-arc centrifuge

Centrifugal separation of elements and isotopes in a rotating, magnetized column of highly ionized plasma is described. Such a centrifuge differs from prior plasma centrifuges in that the source of plasma is a laser-initiated vacuum arc, rather than a gas discharge. Detailed measurements are present...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 1984-09, Vol.56 (5), p.1398-1413
Main Authors: GEVA, M, KRISHNAN, M, HIRSHFIELD, J. L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Electric discharges
Exact sciences and technology
Physics
Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges
Physics of plasmas and electric discharges
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Summary:Centrifugal separation of elements and isotopes in a rotating, magnetized column of highly ionized plasma is described. Such a centrifuge differs from prior plasma centrifuges in that the source of plasma is a laser-initiated vacuum arc, rather than a gas discharge. Detailed measurements are presented of the axial evolution of the radial plasma flux and separation profiles. Centrifugal separation increases rapidly with distance from the cathode plasma source, reaching an asymptotic value about 60 cm downstream. The separation is observed to increase exponentially with the square of the radius. The potential profile across the column was measured and found to be parabolic with radius. These observations are accounted for by a steady-state, multispecies, fluid model of the rotating plasma.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.334139