Laser isotope enrichment of 168Er

This present study investigates a three-step laser isotope separation method for the enrichment of ¹⁶⁸Er isotope using 631.052 nm - 586.912 nm - 566.003 nm three-step photoionization scheme. The lineshape contours observed in three-step photoionization process have been investigated in detail. This study shows that enrichment of ¹⁶⁸Er isotope can be achieved with a relatively simple experimental configuration. With the derived system configuration, it has been shown that it is possible to produce 18 g/day of 90% enriched ¹⁶⁸Er. Using the enriched ¹⁶⁸Er isotope obtained from the laser isotope separation process, irradiation in low, medium, and high flux reactors can produce 180, 1800, and 18,000 doses per day (each with an activity of 7.4 GBq) respectively. After 24 h of irradiation and chemical separation, the radioisotopic purity of the medical isotope reaches to > 99% making it suitable for the medical applications. This is the first ever study on the laser isotope separation of ¹⁶⁸Er isotope.