Diffusion Experiment and its Isotope Effects of Liquid Lithium due to the TR-IA-6 Rocket

Abstract

The diffusion coefficient of liquid lithium, which is expected to show large isotope effects because of its small atomic mass, was measured by the long capillary method under the microgravity due to the launch of the sixth TR-IA rocket. The detailed description is given for the procedure of the microgravity experiments for the very aggressive materials such as liq­uid lithium. The smaller diffusion coefficient was obtained for 7Li in liquid 6Li compared with the case of 6Li in liquid 7Li. These behaviors were discussed based on the theoretical calcula­ tions successfully in a qualitative manner from the point of view of the hard sphere model, in which the hard sphere diameter was determined from the theoretical point of view.