Applied physics
No. 3, 2001

ESR-plasma source for separation
of isotopes by ISR-method

A.P. Babichev, N.M. Gorshunov, D.A. Dolgolenko,
G.E. Zotin, A.I. Karchevsky, V.S. Laz'ko, Yu.A. Muromkin,
V.G.Pashkovsky, A.T. Peshkov

Molecular Physics Institute, RRC Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia

   Experiments were made on SOURCE instaillation on obtaining of flows of metal plasma along the strong (up to 3 Tesla) magnetic field for isotope separation by ICR method. A plasma flow was created by ionization of neutrals in microwave discharge (37.5 GHz) in conditions of electron cyclotron resonance (ECR). Microwave radiation to the discharge zone was pur under a small angele from the side to the magnetic field. A plasma flow created in these conditions passed through the magnetic mirror (Bmax = 3.0 Tesla) and registered on the opposite side of the instaillation in the field of 0.85 Tesla. Vapors of zink and lead were obtained by termal evaporation. At the level of microwave power Pw = 1 kW plasma parameters for both elements were ne = 1.5·1011 cm-3, Te = 10 eV,
WiII = 10 eV. In the area of maximum magnetic field plasma reseached 1012 cm-3. Equivalent ionic current in the plasma flow was 0.5 - 1.5 A. For obtaining of neutral atoms in the discharge zone the cathode sputtering of targets (Cu, Gd) was also used. Density of copper vapors in the discharge zone was (3 - 8)·1011 cm-3, density of gadolinium vapors was - 1011 cm-3.

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