Numerical studies on lutetium isotopic selective photoionization based on a three-step ionization scheme

Numerical studies of lutetium selective photoionization have been carried out based on a three-step photoionization scheme, 5d6s2 2D3/2 → 5d6s6p4Fo5/2 → 5d6s7s4D3/2 → (53,375 cm−1)1/2 → Lu+, by the density matrix theory. Atomic hyperfine structures and magnetic sublevels are considered in our photoionization dynamics model. To examine the effectiveness of this model, the simulated 176Lu ion strengths are compared with the experimental results, and the simulated excitation cross sections of 176Lu excitation channels are compared with the analytical and experimental results. Semi-quantitative agreements are acquired for these two cases. On this basis, selective photoionization processes of two lutetium isotopes are simulated and discussed. Considering the ionization probability and abundance of target isotope, the 8.5-9.5-8.5 two-step excitation channel is optimal for 176Lu enrichment from natural lutetium. The influences of laser parameters and atomic Doppler broadening are presented numerically and optimization excitation conditions are identified. For the co-propagating excitation lasers, extra-narrow laser bandwidth (at the magnitude of 0.1 GHz) and atomic Doppler broadening (smaller than 0.3 GHz) is required. A new time-delayed configuration is proposed to implement multiple counter-propagating laser exposures for high target isotope abundance at the larger atomic Doppler broadening. •Simulations of isotopic three-step selective photoionization of lutetium atoms.•Adding hyperfine structures, magnetic sublevels to photoionization model.•Semi-quantitative agreement between simulated and experimental results.•A time-delayed configuration for multiple counter-propagating laser exposure.