Studies of laser induced cesium and rubidium hydride formation in vapor cells and their application for isotope separation

We present the results of studies of alkali hydride formation in vapor cells under laser irradiation. Two mechanisms are studied: formation in the cell volume in the presence of hydrogen and formation on the laser irradiated cell window. The first mechanism is investigated in a room-temperature cesium vapor cell, while the second one in a heated natural rubidium cell. The studies are aimed at isotope separation by means of selective laser excitation of the vapor with subsequent hydride formation. In the first case we obtained the intensity dependence of the absorption and fluorescence and could evaluate, by comparing with calculations, the rate constant of the two-step reaction of CsH formation. In the second case a solid layer deposition was observed on the cell window and interpreted as rubidium hydride.