Design of KEK Test Machine for Mo Isotope Separation Based on Ion Cyclotron Resonance Plasma Separation

We discuss the design of a KEK test machine for Mo isotope separation based on the ion cyclotron resonance plasma separation process (KEK-ICR-PSP). The test machine consists of a superconducting magnet of 1.5T, an Ar sputtering plasma chamber, a helical coil of 30-cm-diameter and 60 cm length, providing an ICR heating field of about 20 V/m, an isotope collector, and RF power systems. The yield and purity of Mo-100 and Mo-98 are evaluated using a dedicated Monte Carlo simulation program, KEK-ICR-SIM. They are strongly affected by the energy spectra of MO ions from the sputtering plasma chamber, which can be investigated with the test machine. (C) 2013 The Japan Society of Applied Physics