Background
Cohen, Karl Paley was born on February 5, 1913 in New York City. Son of Joseph M. and Ray (Paley) Cohen.
(Isotope separation is the process of concentrating specif...)
Isotope separation is the process of concentrating specific isotopes of a chemical element by removing other isotopes. The use of the nuclides produced is various. The largest variety is used in research (e.g. in chemistry where atoms of "marker" nuclide are used to figure out reaction mechanisms). By tonnage, separating natural uranium into enriched uranium and depleted uranium is the largest application. In the following text, mainly the uranium enrichment is considered. This process is a crucial one in the manufacture of uranium fuel for nuclear power stations, and is also required for the creation of uranium based nuclear weapons. Plutonium-based weapons use plutonium produced in a nuclear reactor, which must be operated in such a way as to produce plutonium already of suitable isotopic mix or grade. While different chemical elements can be purified through chemical processes, isotopes of the same element have nearly identical chemical properties, which makes this type of separation impractical, except for separation of deuterium. There are three types of isotope separation techniques: Those based directly on the atomic weight of the isotope. Those based on the small differences in chemical reaction rates produced by different atomic weights. Those based on properties not directly connected to atomic weight, such as nuclear resonances. The third type of separation is still experimental; practical separation techniques all depend in some way on the atomic mass. It is therefore generally easier to separate isotopes with a larger relative mass difference. For example deuterium has twice the mass of ordinary (light) hydrogen and it is generally easier to purify it than to separate uranium-235 from the more common uranium-238. On the other extreme, separation of fissile plutonium-239 from the common impurity plutonium-240, while desirable in that it would allow the creation of gun-type nuclear weapons from plutonium, is generally agreed to be impractical.
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Cohen, Karl Paley was born on February 5, 1913 in New York City. Son of Joseph M. and Ray (Paley) Cohen.
Bachelor of Arts, Columbia University, 1933; Master of Arts, Columbia University, 1934; Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Chemistry, Columbia University, 1937; postgraduate, U. Paris, 1936-1937.
Research assistant to Professor H. C. Urey, Columbia University, 1937-1940; director theoretical division, SAM Manhattan project; director theoretical division, 1940-1944; physicist, Standard Oil Development Company, 1944-1948; technical director, H.K. Ferguson Company, 1948-1952; vice president, Walter Kidde Nuclear Laboratory, 1952-1955; consultant Atomic Energy Commission, senior science, Columbia University, 1955; manager advance engineering atomic power equipment department, General Electric Company, 1955-1965; general manager breeder reactor development department, General Electric Company, 1965-1971; manager strategic planning, nuclear energy division, General Electric Company, 1971-1973; chief scientist, nuclear energy group, General Electric Company, 1973-1978; consultant professor, Stanford University, 1978-1981.
(Isotope separation is the process of concentrating specif...)
Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Nuclear Society (president 1968-1969, board directors), American Institute Chemists (Chemical Pioneer award 1979). Member National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, American Physical Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, Phi Lambda Upsilon.
Married Marthe H. Malartre, September 20, 1938. Children: Martine-Claude Lebouc, Elisabeth M. Brown, Beatrix Josephine Cashmore.