Characteristic features of the dissociation of UF6 molecules in the radiation field of a pulse-periodic CF4 laser

An investigation was made of changes in the dissociation yield of UF₆ molecules from pulse to pulse in the radiation field of a pulse-periodic CF₄ laser. The energy per pulse was 25 — 130 mJ and the UF₆ pressure was 0.3 — 0.6 Torr. The dissociation yield was proportional to the volume of the focused-radiation zone inside a cell where the photon energy density Φ exceeded the threshold value Φ₀ throughout the investigated ranges of the energy per pulse and of the UF₆ pressure. The first pulse dissociated 28% ± 3% molecules in this zone for Φ₀ = 1 J cm^–2 and 53% ± 5% of molecules for Φ₀ = 1.5 J cm^–2. A steep fall of the UF₆ photodissociation yield from pulse to pulse was observed for the first time. An analysis was made of the processes which accompanied dissociation and estimates were obtained of the influence of the relevant reactions on the observed fall of the UF₆ photodissociation yield from pulse to pulse.