Separative performance in a vacuum arc centrifuge

In this paper, the variation of isotope concentration along a vacuum are ce ntrifuge is investigated for a two species plasma. Using the fluid equation s of motion for both isotope species, together with continuity, the spatial dependence of the isotope concentration and separation factor is numerical ly solved. As well as comparison with experimental data detailing the spati al evolution of the separation profile for a Cu/Ni plasma, the important ph ysical processes occurring in the plasma column as separation takes place a re identified.