Reduction of U(VI) in the Course of Optical Pumping of Inorganic Laser Liquids

Abstract

The generation properties of Nd³⁺ in optical pumping of lasers on inorganic liquids based on phosphorus oxychloride and sulfuryl chloride, activated with Nd³⁺ and UO₂²⁺, were studied. In pumping with visible light with λ ≥ 500 nm, uranyl does not affect the generation properties of Nd³⁺ in laser liquids. Extension of the pumping range to 400 nm leads to deterioration of the laser properties of the liquids and to the formation of U(IV). The uranyl photoreduction in the POCl₃–SnCl₄–UO₂²⁺–Nd³⁺ system is irreversible. In the SO₂Cl₂–GaCl₃–UO₂²⁺–Nd³⁺ system, reverse oxidation of U(IV) occurs after ceasing the photoirradiation, and in ≈200 h the generation properties of the laser liquid are restored.