Ternary fission fragmentation of <Superscript>252</Superscript>Cf for all possible third fragments

The ternary fragmentation of ²⁵²Cf for all possible third fragments has been investigated using the recently proposed three-cluster model within a spherical approximation and satisfying the condition A ₁ 3 \geq A ₂ 3 \geq A ₃ . The most probable ternary configurations in the fission of ²⁵²Cf accompanied with all possible third fragment mass numbers from A ₃ = 1 to 84 are predicted and their independent and overall relative yields are calculated. The calculations of the properly charge minimized potential energy surface (PES) and yield reveal that even-mass third fragments are more favored than odd ones. In the most probable configuration having the minimum in the potential energy and the maximum in yield, among the three fragments, at least one (or two) of the fragment(s) associates itself with the neutron (or proton) closed shell and in some cases even with the doubly closed shell. The calculated relative yields imply that next to ¹⁴C (the heaviest third fragment observed in the spontaneous ternary fission of ²⁵²Cf , ^{34, 36, 38}Si , ^{46, 48}Ar , and ^{48, 50}Ca are presenting themselves as the most favoured cases to be observed as the third particle in the spontaneous ternary fission of ²⁵²Cf .     

Neutron-neutron angular correlations in spontaneous fission of <Superscript>252</Superscript>Cf

An experiment has been carried out to study neutron-neutron angular correlations in spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf. Angular dependences of the number of neutron-neutron coincidences obtained in the experiment were compared with the results of the Monte Carlo calculations for various neutron detection thresholds in the range 425–1600 keV. It was inferred that 10–11% of the total number of prompt neutrons from ²⁵²Cf (s.f.) in the laboratory system were emitted isotropically and may probably be interpreted as neutrons directly associated with the instant of scission of the nucleus. The analysis allowed their energy distribution to be determined as well. A similar method was also used to describe the angular correlation of prompt neutrons that accompanied the reaction ²³⁵U(n _th ,f).     

Cluster ion emission from LiF induced by MeV N<Superscript>q+</Superscript> projectiles and <Superscript>252</Superscript>Cf fission fragments

Ion cluster desorption yields from LiF were measured at PUC-Rio with ≈0.1 MeV/u N ^q+ (q = 2,4,5,6) ion beams by means of a time-of-fight (TOF) mass spectrometer. A ²⁵²Cf source mounted in the irradiation chamber allows immediate comparison of cluster emissions induced by ≈65 MeV fission fragments (FF). Emission of (LiF) _n Li⁺ clusters are observed for both the N beams and the ²⁵²Cf fission fragments. The observed cluster size n varies from 1 to 6 for N ^q+ projectiles and from 1 to ≈40 for the ²⁵²Cf-FF. The size dependence of the Y(n) distributions suggests two cluster formation regimes: (i) recombination process in the outgoing gas phase after impact and (ii) emission of pre-formed clusters from the periphery of the impact site. The corresponding distribution of ejected negative cluster ions (LiF) _n F⁻ closely resembles that of the positive secondary (LiF) _n Li⁺ ions. The desorption yields of positive ions scale as Y(n) ∼ q ⁵. A calculation with the CASP code shows that this corresponds to a cubic scaling ∼S _e ³ with the electronic stopping power S _e , as predicted by collective shock wave models for sputtering and models involving multiple excitons (Frenkel pair sputtering). We discuss possible interpretations of the functional dependence of the evolution of the cluster emission yield Y(n) with cluster size n, fitted by a number of statistical distributions.     

Bimodal fission in binary and ternary spontaneous fission of 252Cf

The hot bimodal fission of ²⁵²Cf is reexamined with new high-statistics data. We constructed a γ-γ-γ coincidence cube for binary fission and LCP-gated γ-γ matrix for ternary fission. By identifying the secondary fission fragments from their γ-ray transitions, we measured the yields for various fission splits. The normal neutron yield distribution is found to be Gaussian for Xe-Ru. However, the binary fission split of Ba-Mo is found to exhibit a bimodal neutron distribution with the “hot mode” corresponding to ≈3.1% of the total yield. In α ternary fission, the first measurements of yields for specific fission splits are presented. The Te-α-Ru and Xe-α-Mo neutron yields fit well with a single mode, but the Ba-α-Zr split shows evidence for an enhanced hot mode with an intensity of ≈13.8% of the normal mode. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Recent experimental studies on 252Cf ternary fission

The rare ternary fission (TF) process was hitherto studied mainly by inclusive measurements of the energies and fractional yields of the light charged particles (LCPs) from fission, or by experiments on the angular and energy correlation between LCPs and fission fragments (FF). The present article briefly describes a series of recent correlation measurements on ²⁵²Cf(sf) TF that include either the registration of neutrons and γ rays with LCPs and FFs, or the coincident registration of two LCPs. The population of excited states in LCPs has been identified, as well as the formation of neutron-unstable nuclei as short-lived intermediated LCPs, the sequential decay of particle-unstable LCP species into charged particle pairs, and “quaternary” fission with the emission of two charged particles right at scission.     

Proton induced fission of <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th at intermediate energies

The mass-energy distributions and cross sections of proton-induced fission of ²³²Th have been measured at the proton energies of 7, 10, 13, 20, 40, and 55 MeV. Experiments were carried out at the proton beam of the K-130 cyclotron of the JYFL Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä and U-150m cyclotron of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The yields of fission fragments in the mass range A = 60–170 a.m.u. have been measured up to the level of 10?4%. The three humped shape of the mass distribution up has been observed at higher proton energies. The contribution of the symmetric component grows up with increasing proton incident energy; although even at 55 MeV of proton energy the shoulders in the mass energy distribution clearly indicate the asymmetric fission peaks. Evolution of shell structure was observed in the fission fragment mass distributions even at high excitation energy.     

New experimental studies on the quaternary fission of <Superscript>233, 235</Superscript>U(n<Subscript>th</Subscript>, f ) and <Superscript>252</Superscript>Cf (sf )

Experiments have been performed for studying quaternary fission (QF) in spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf, on the one hand, and for the neutron-induced fission reactions ^{233, 235}U(n_th, f ), on the other hand. In this higher-multiplicity fission mode, by definition, four charged products appear in the final state. In other words, as a generalization of the ternary-fission process, not only one but two light charged particles (LCPs) are accompanying the splitting of an actinide nucleus into the customary pair of fission fragments. In the two sets of measurements, which have used quite different approaches, the yields of several QF reactions with α-particles and tritons as the LCPs have been determined and the corresponding kinetic-energy distributions of the α-particles measured. The QF process can appear in two basically different ways: i) the simultaneous creation of two LCPs in the act of fission (“true” QF) and ii) via a fast sequential decay of a single but particle-unstable LCP in common ternary fission (“pseudo” QF). Experimentally the two varieties of QF have been distinguished by exploiting the different patterns of angular correlations between the two outgoing LCPs. The experiments described in the present paper are the first to demonstrate that both types of reactions, true and pseudo QF, occur with quite comparable probabilities. As a new result also, the kinetic-energy distributions related to the two processes have been shown to be significantly different. For all QF reactions which could be explored, the yields for ²⁵²Cf(sf) were found to be roughly by an order of magnitude larger than the yields found in the ²³³U(n_th, f ) and ²³⁵U(n_th, f ) reactions. An interesting by-product has been the measurement of yields of excited LCPs which allows to deduce nuclear temperatures at scission by comparison to the respective yields in the ground state.     

Angular momenta of fission fragments in the α-accompanied fission of 252Cf

For the first time, average angular momenta of the ternary fission fragments ^{100, 102}Zr, ¹⁰⁶Mo, ^{144, 146}Ba and ^{138, 140, 142}Xe from the α-accompanied fission of ²⁵²Cf were obtained from relative intensities of prompt γ-ray transitions with the use of the statistical model calculation. Average values of the angular momenta were compared with the corresponding values for the same fission fragments from the binary fission of ²⁵²Cf. Results indicate the presence of a decreasing trend in the average values of angular momenta induced in ternary fission fragments compared to the same binary fission fragments. On the average, the total angular momentum extracted for ternary fission fragments is ∼1.4 ℏ lower than in binary fission. Consequently, results indicate that the mechanism of the ternary α-particles emission may directly effect an induction of angular momenta of fission fragments, and possible scenarios of such mechanisms are discussed. Further, the dependence of the angular momenta of ¹⁰⁶Mo and ¹⁴⁰Xe on the number of emitted neutrons from correlated pairs of primary fragments was obtained also showing a decreasing dependence of average angular momenta with increasing number of emitted neutrons. Consequences are briefly discussed.     

Digital signal processing application to <Superscript>252</Superscript>Cf(sf) reaction products spectroscopy

The emission of prompt fission neutrons in spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf was studied by the application of digital data processing for the first time. The study was aimed at comparing the obtained results with those from the pioneering work of Budtz-Jorgensen and Knitter. By using a twin Frisch grid ionization chamber for fission fragment detection and a neutron scintillator (NE213) for the detection of neutrons, a total of about 10⁷ neutron coincidences were registered. The fission-fragment kinetic energies were measured using a fast (80 MHz) waveform digitizer that provided 10-bit amplitude resolution. Standard analog NIM modules were used for neutron time-of-flight and pulse shape measurements. A time-to-digital converter (TDC) with 1-ns resolution and a pair of gated charge-to-digital converters with 12-bit amplitude resolution were also used. The fission fragment signals were analyzed by means of digital signal processing algorithms. Data on prompt fission neutron energies were obtained by using a time-of-flight (TOF) spectrum unfolding procedure applicable to list-mode data.     

Inverse-beta-decay reaction in the antineutrino flux from the fragments of <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th and <Superscript>233</Superscript>U fission

The energy spectra of antineutrinos produced in the beta decay of fragments originating from ²³³U and ²³²Th fission induced by neutrons are calculated. The relevant cross sections and the spectra of positrons produced in inverse beta decay are found. This study was motivated by the hypothesis (discussed over the past decade)t hat a self-sustained chain reaction proceeds at the center of the Earth (“georeactor”). According to the author of this hypothesis, the georeactor provides energy necessary for maintaining the Earth’s magnetic field. It is ²³⁵U and, probably, ²³²Th and ²³³U that serve as a nuclear fuel in this reactor. Data obtained in the present study can be guidelines in future experiments aimed at testing the hypothesis of the georeactor and at estimating the composition of its nuclear fuel within the development of geophysical and astrophysical investigations based on the observation of antineutrino fluxes in nature.     

Cold and hot binary and ternary fission yields in the spontaneous fission of 252Cf

The spontaneous fission (SF) of ²⁵²Cf has been studied via γ-γ-γ coincidence and light charged particle—γ-γ coincidence with Gammasphere. The yields of correlated Mo-Ba pairs in binary fission with 0–10 neutron emission have been remeasured with an uncompressed cube. The previous hot fission mode with 8–10 neutron emission seen in the Mo-Ba split is found to be smaller than earlier results but still present. New 0n binary SF yields are reported. By gating on the light charged particles detected in ΔE-E detectors and γ-γ coincidence with Gammasphere, the relative yields of correlated pairs in alpha ternary fission with zero to 6n emission are observed for the first time. The peak occurs around the α2n channel. A number of correlated pairs are identified in ternary fission with ¹⁰Be as the light charged particle. We observed only cold, 0n ¹⁰Be and little, if any, hot, xn ¹⁰Be channels.     

Measurement of the probability of <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th ternary fission induced by fast neutrons

Results obtained by measuring the energy dependence of the probability of ²³²Th ternary fission in the region of vibrational resonances are presented. The measurements were performed by using a double ionization chamber with Frisch grids and a CsI(T1) scintillation detector. The use of digital methods for pulse processing made it possible to obtain highly reliable results. The data analysis reveals that our value of the ternary-fission probability is compatible with existing systematics, which nevertheless need some correction. The results of our measurements unambiguously indicate that local variations in the total kinetic energy of fission fragments in the region of the individual vibrational resonances cannot be explained by corresponding variations in the ternary-fission probability.     

Collinear ternary cluster decay of hyperdeformed <Superscript>60</Superscript>Zn at high angular momentum

Binary and ternary cluster decay of ⁶⁰Zn compound nuclei at high angular momentum, formed in the ³⁶Ar + ²⁴Mg reaction at E _lab(³⁶Ar) = 195 MeV, has been measured in a unique kinematic coincidence setup consisting of two large area position sensitive (x, y) gas detector telescopes with Bragg-ionization chambers (BRS). The BRS provides the opportunity to measure the reaction angles in-and out-of-plane, and through Bragg-curve spectroscopy to achieve a complete identification of the nuclear charge for different final channels. We observed very narrow out-of-plane angular correlations for two heavy fragments emitted either in purely binary events or in events with a missing mass consisting of 2 and 3α particles. These narrow correlations are interpreted as ternary fission decay from compound nuclei at high angular momenta through an elongated (hyperdeformed) shape with a very large moment of inertia. In these stretched configurations, the lighter mass in the neck region remains at rest or with very low momentum in the center of mass. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Experiment aimed at the study of 252Cf binary and ternary fission

A new experiment devoted to the fission of ²⁵²Cf is described. It continued a series of our experiments based on correlation measurements of γ rays emitted by fission fragment pairs. The measurements of γ-γ and γ-γ-γ coincidences were done at Gammasphere with closed ²⁵²Cf sources. The open source was used for the first time in the last experiment. Fission fragment detectors were arranged in the center hole of Gammasphere. Correlations between fission fragment masses, total kinetic energy, and γ rays were observed. The first, preliminary results of data analysis are discussed. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Multiplicity distribution of prompt gamma rays in spontaneous ternary fission of252Cf

The first and the second moments of the multiplicity distribution of prompt gamma rays in spontaneous ternary fission of²⁵²Cf have been measured by the multiple coincidence technique. While both these moments were found to be nearly independent of the energy of the light charged particle accompanying the fission fragments, the width of the multiplicity distribution was larger than that in the case of normal binary fission by about 20%.