Possibility of separation of 127I and 129I isotopes using a photodissociation iodine laser
A method of separating iodine isotopes is proposed. This method is based on the large difference between the rate constants of the reactions of the excited I (2P1/2)and unexcited I (2P3/2) iodine atoms with CF3 radicals and Cl2 molecules and on the feasibility of selective irradiation of 127I atoms in the 2P1/2 and 2P3/2 states by a photodissociation iodine laser utilizing R 127I molecules (λ =1.315 μ). A method of separating the pure isotope 129I from a mixture of 127I and 129I is discussed.