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.