Science and Technology of isotope enrichment

Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai-400 085, India

E-mail : sarkarsk@barc.gov.in

Manuscript received 15 December 2009, accepted 18 December 2009

One of the toughest scientific challenges has been to effectively - and inexpensively - separate a desired Isotope of an element from the remaining. Isotopes for uses ranging from medicine to energy to weapons applications. In this account, after briefly dealing with important basics of separation physics, the various separation methods broadly classified as physical and chemical methods are described. Emphasis has been given to the advanced separation processes using lasers and some results from our laboratory have been described In detail. It Is quite clear that there is a continuous massive effort by scientists and engineers around the world for developing isotope enrichment technologies.