Wave Packet Isotope Separation

Abstract

We introduce and demonstrate a general wave packet method for laser isotope separation. In this scheme, laser excited molecular (or atomic) wave packets of differing isotopes become spatially separated in the course of their long-time free evolution. In order to overcome the quantum spreading of wave packets, we make use of the phenomenon of revivals. We demonstrate experimentally, with mixed ${}^{79}$B${\mathrm{r}}_{2}$${\mathrm{/}}^{81}$B${\mathrm{r}}_{2}$ isotopes, that significant control over the isotope ratio can be achieved in a single shot.