Due to the widespread use of boron isotopes (¹⁰B and ¹¹B) in some major industries and medicine, production of these isotopes is now an urgent issue, driving significant interest in the development of effective methods for their separation (enrichment). Research aimed at developing methods for laser isotope separation (LIS) of boron has recently intensified. Results of studies on boron LIS are reviewed. The main concepts of LIS and the necessary conditions for the implementation of laser techniques are briefly discussed. The infrared (IR) absorption spectra underlying laser isotope separation of boron-containing molecules, which are used in experiments on boron LIS, are presented and analyzed. High-energy and low-energy methods of molecular laser separation of boron isotopes, along with the physicochemical processes on which they are based, are considered. The results of early studies of isotope-selective laser IR dissociation of boron trichloride (BCl₃) molecules using various excitation techniques and 2-chloroethenyldichloroborane (HClC=CHBCl₂), which are of greatest interest for laser separation of boron isotopes, and the results of new studies are reported and discussed. The results of studies of selective IR multiphoton dissociation (MPD) of ¹¹BCl₃ molecules in a natural mixture with ¹⁰BCl₃ molecules upon their irradiation with a sensitizer (SF₆ molecules, which simultaneously perform as acceptors of radicals — Cl atoms formed during dissociation of BCl₃ molecules) are considered. The use of a sensitizer is shown to significantly enhance the efficiency of dissociation of ¹¹BCl₃ molecules. The results obtained for boron LIS are systematized. Based on the analysis of research results, the optimal methods for the technological implementation of boron LIS in practice are proposed. A brief historical overview of research in laser separation of boron isotopes is given.

Keywords: atoms, molecules, clusters, boron, molecular and cluster beams, laser spectroscopy, laser-induced selective processes in molecules and clusters, laser isotope separation, laser physics PACS: 07.77.Gx, 28.60.+s, 33.80.−b, 36.40.−c, 42.62.−b, 42.62.Fi, 82.50.Bc (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2024.11.039808 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2025/5/b/ 001524725300002 2-s2.0-105009007657 2025PhyU...68..452M Citation: Makarov G N "Laser separation of boron isotopes: research results and options for technological implementation" Phys. Usp. 68 452–489 (2025) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)Medline RefWorks RT Journal T1 Laser separation of boron isotopes: research results and options for technological implementation A1 Makarov,G.N. PB Physics-Uspekhi PY 2025 FD 10 May, 2025 JF Physics-Uspekhi JO Phys. Usp. VO 68 IS 5 SP 452-489 DO 10.3367/UFNe.2024.11.039808 LK https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2025/5/b/ Received: 15th, May 2024, revised: 3rd, September 2024, accepted: 18th, November 2024 Оригинал: Макаров Г Н «Лазерное разделение изотопов бора: результаты исследований и варианты технологической реализации» УФН 195 478–518 (2025); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2024.11.039808