[1E13-13] Isotope Separation

[1E13] An experimental study with a stable isotope for highly efficient separation of cesium isotopes utilizing light-induced drift

*Leo Matsuoka¹, Yuya Kusano², Noritaka Nishiya², Yoshiharu Yoshimura², Keishi Nakano², Hitoshi Goto², Ryo Mizoguchi², Tomonori Matsushita², Kenta Yuki², Takanori Kobayashi² (1. Hiroshima Inst. of Tech., 2. Hiroshima Univ.)

Keywords:Nuclear transmutation, Geological disposal, Laser, Cs-135

The efficient isotope separation of Cs-133 and Cs-135 is important for the reduction of the future responsibility of geological disposal because it enhances the efficiency of the nuclear transmutation of Cs-135. However, the cesium isotopes are difficult to be separated in principle even using laser-based methods. In this study, we focused on the light-induced drift that is a technology giving translational velocity to the entire thermal distribution. We performed an experiment with Cs-133 as a pre-stage of the isotope separation. The complete control of the direction of the drift by tuning the laser wavelength was confirmed by visual observation. The results indicate the future realization of highly efficient complete isotope separation of Cs-133 and Cs-135.