A method for separation of isotopes includes vaporizing a sample having two or more isotopes of the same element. A stream of atoms is generated from the vaporized sample. One or more light waves are applied to the stream. The one or more light waves are tuned to prepare one or more specific isotopes in the flowing stream into a set of one or more magnetic states. A magnetic field is applied to the stream, deflecting atoms in the stream based on their magnetic states. Isotopes are collected based on their deflections (or lack of deflection).