Yield and enrichment studies of C-13 isotope by multi-photon dissociation of Freon-22 at low temperatures

Multi-photon dissociation of Freon-22 (CF2HCl) at low temperatures has been carried out to separate the C-13 isotope using a TEA CO2 laser. Yield and enrichment of C-13 isotope in the product C2F4 are studied at 9P(22) laser line as a function of temperature (–50C to 30C). It is observed that at a given fluence when the temperature is lowered the yield decreases and the enrichment factor of C-13 increases. Room temperature irradiation of CF2HCl towards the blue edge of C-13 absorption (i.e. at 9P(20) laser line) gives low yield of the product (C2F4) at a fluence, which produces the desired enrichment factor of 100. An increase in fluence gives very high yield of C2F4 but the enrichment factor is very low. Irradiating CF2HCl at a temperature of –10C enhances the enrichment factor to 100 and the yield obtained is comparable to that towards the red edge of C-13 absorption (i.e. at 9P(26) laser line). At a given enrichment factor higher enrichment efficiency is achieved when CF2HCl is irradiated at lower temperature.