Electromagnetic Isotopes Separation via Superconducting Architectures for the Upcycling of Fusion Reactor Transmutation Waste

The Calutron, historically defined by the massive energy requirements of the Manhattan Project, has long been considered an inefficient relic of early nuclear physics. However, the emergence of High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) sources necessitates a re-evaluation of electromagnetic separation (EMS) for modern isotope production. This paper investigates the optimization of a “Super-Calutron” facility designed to harvest high-value medical and industrial isotopes—specifically Lutetium-177 and Rhenium-187—from the activated powdered alloys diverted from Tokamak first-wall components. Using a 23 Full Factorial Design of Experiments (DoE), we performed a sensitivity analysis on three critical parameters: Plasma Power, Extraction Bias, and Magnetic Flux. Our results demonstrate that the transition to superconducting magnets reduces the energy-to-yield ratio by over 95% compared to 1940s baselines, while AI-stabilized ion steering achieves an isotopic purity of > 99.9%. The study identifies a critical “Double Ionization Threshold” at plasma power levels exceeding 2.0 kW, which serves as the primary constraint on throughput versus purity. We conclude that a modern MI-EMS (Multi-Isotope Electromagnetic Separation) facility, integrated into the byproduct cycle of a fusion powerplant, transforms a radioactive decommissioning liability into a strategic resource for nuclear medicine and aerospace superalloys. This research provides a scalable framework for a circular nuclear economy, turning “reactor dust” into the most precious materials on Earth.