Abstract

Great advances have been made in laser isotope separation schemes as applied to uranium enrichment. The metal vapor approach has been shown to enrich ²³⁵U by several scenarios and the photodissociation of cooled UF₆ has shown promise. These remarkable programs have provided impetus for development of tunable lasers and new spectroscopic concepts. The logical extensions of the technology to new power reactor construction materials and reactor waste management are obvious. Recent developments in these areas will be discussed.

© 1976 Optical Society of America