Wave-driven countercurrent plasma centrifuge

Abstract

A method for driving rotation and a countercurrent flow in a fully ionized plasma centrifuge is described. The rotation is produced by radiofrequency waves near the cyclotron resonance. The wave energy is transferred into potential energy in a manner similar to the α channeling effect. The countercurrent flow may also be driven by radiofrequency waves. By driving both the rotation and the flow pattern using waves instead of electrodes, physical and engineering issues may be avoided. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version) Rotating plasmas have been investigated in a variety of configurations for the separation of elements and isotopes [1–4]. Isotope separation has applications in the production of nuclear fuel [5], and in research and medical isotope production [6]. While most enriched uranium is produced by the gas centrifuge method [7], a significant number of isotopes are still produced by calutrons due to their flexibility [8].