A numerical simulation was undertaken on argon and krypton isotope separation in their dc arc discharges through a thin capillary. The mass transport phenomenon of neutral particles as well as of ions in the positive column was treated by direct simulation Monte Carlo method, whereas electrons were treated as background particles, and their behavior was assumed to be already given to evaluate the effects of electron collisions onto neutral particles. The numerical results agreed qualitatively with the isotope separation phenomena of argon and krypton dc discharges. The heavier isotopes were enriched into the region of the cathode, whereas the lighter ones into that of the anode. It was also found that the numerical results explained the pressure difference between the cathode and the anode observed experimentally. The characteristics of drift motion of ions also qualitatively agreed with existing experimental results.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Asami et al. (2002) studied this question.