ISOTOPE-SEPARATION USING INTENSE LASER FIELDS

A laser-induced vibrational trapping mechanism is proposed for isotope separation in the D-2(+)-H-2(+) system interacting with an intense field. The theory is based on laser-induced quasibound states that can suppress the photodissociation of one of the isotopes, whereas the other still has a large dissociation rate. Such states, the existence of which has previously been evidenced, can be reached by appropriately adjusting laser parameters (wavelength and intensity). Great efficiency is expected for conveniently prepared initial vibrational states of a rotationless isotope and using a continuous-wave laser.