gas centrifuging

Gas centrifuging is a method used to separate isotopes of an element based on slight differences in their physical properties. In this process, a mixture of gaseous molecules is spun at high speed within a specially designed container. The heavier isotopes concentrate near the outer walls, while the lighter ones move towards the center.1

This technique was first used by Jesse W. Beams in 1936 to separate chlorine isotopes. It has since been significantly developed for separating uranium isotopes, specifically ²³⁵UF₆ from ²³⁸UF₆, offering considerable energy savings compared to other methods. While not the primary method for enriched uranium production, gas centrifuges are also used to produce isotopes for scientific and medical purposes.1