Production of a highly enriched176Yb isotope in weight amounts by the atomic-vapour laser isotope separation method

The production of a highly enriched 176Yb isotope in weight amounts by the atomic-vapour laser isotope separation method is reported. The content of 176Yb achieved in the experimental samples of the enriched material was 99%. For a commercial production of about 20 mg h-1, the concentration of this isotope is about 88% with about 5% of the 'harmful' isotope 174Yb. The experimental results may serve as the basis for the technology of obtaining 177Lu isotope for applications in modern nuclear medicine as a drug with a high specific activity.