Laser enrichment of the ⁶²Ni isotope for betavoltaic devices

We have studied the laser isotope separation of the 62 Ni isotope using a three-step ladder type photoionization scheme. Using density matrix formalism, optimum conditions for the efficient separation of the 62 Ni isotope have been derived. The optimum bandwidth of the excitation lasers has been found to be 200 MHz, 1200 MHz, and 1200 MHz for the enrichment of the 62 Ni isotope. It has also been shown that it is possible to produce 75 mg/day of 90% enriched 62 Ni using the optimized experimental operating parameters derived in this work. Upon irradiation of this enriched 62 Ni isotopic mixture, it is possible to produce ∼19mg/day of the 63 Ni isotope, which is sufficient to manufacture a 100 µW betavoltaic device each day.