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REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS
Laser separation of boron isotopes: research results and options for technological implementation
G. N. Makarov Institute of Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Troitsk, Moscow
Abstract:
Due to the widespread use of boron isotopes (
$^{10}$B and
$^{11}$B) in some major industries and medicine, production of these isotopes is now an urgent issue, driving significant interest in the development of effective methods for their separation (enrichment). Research aimed at developing methods for laser isotope separation (LIS) of boron has recently intensified. Results of studies on boron LIS are reviewed. The main concepts of LIS and the necessary conditions for the implementation of laser techniques are briefly discussed. The infrared (IR) absorption spectra underlying laser isotope separation of boron-containing molecules, which are used in experiments on boron LIS, are presented and analyzed. High-energy and low-energy methods of molecular laser separation of boron isotopes, along with the physicochemical processes on which they are based, are considered. The results of early studies of isotope-selective laser IR dissociation of boron trichloride (BCl
$_{3}$) molecules using various excitation techniques and 2-chloroethenyldichloroborane (HClC=CHBCl
$_{2}$),which are of greatest interest for laser separation of boron isotopes, and the results of new studies are reported and discussed. The results of studies of selective IR multiphoton dissociation (MPD) of
$^{11}$BCl
$_3$ molecules in a natural mixture with
$^{10}$BCl
$_{3}$ molecules upon their irradiation with a sensitizer (SF
$_{6}$ molecules, which simultaneously perform as acceptors of radicals—Cl atoms formed during dissociation of BCl
$_{3}$ molecules) are considered. The use of a sensitizer is shown to significantly enhance the efficiency of dissociation of
$^{11}$BCl
$_{3}$ molecules. The results obtained for boron LIS are systematized. Based on the analysis of research results, the optimal methods for the technological implementation of boron LIS in practice are proposed. A brief historical overview of research in laser separation of boron isotopes is given.
Keywords:
atoms, molecules, clusters, boron, molecular and cluster beams, laser spectroscopy, laser-induced selective processes in molecules and clusters, laser isotope separation, laser physics
PACS:
07.77.Gx,
28.60.+s,
33.80.-b, 36.40.-ñ,
42.62.-b,
42.62.Fi,
82.50.Bc Received: May 15, 2024Revised: September 3, 2024Accepted:
November 18, 2024
DOI:
10.3367/UFNr.2024.11.039808
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