Abstract

The separation of deuterium from protium by CO₂ laser multiple-photon dissociation (MPD) of trifluoromethane satisfies the basic criteria for commercial viability.^1,2 Though less extensively examined to date, tritium recovery from nuclear reactor light or heavy water supplies by the IR laser MPD of a halogenated methane also appears to be promising. New related spectroscopic and photochemical studies are presented here and discussed in light of D/H and T/D (or H) separation.

© 1981 Optical Society of America