Measurement of fast neutron induced fission cross section of thorium using Lexan plastic track detector

Fission-track registration characteristics of Lexan solid state nuclear track detectors have been used to measure the fast neutron induced fission cross section of²³²Th. The fast neutrons (?14.2MeV) were produced with the help of an AN-400 model Van-de-Graaff accelerator at Banaras Hindu University laboratory using³H(²H,n)⁴He reaction and were used to irradiate the fissile target deposited on the plastic detector. The track densityT, registered on the plastic detector is related to the fission cross sectionσ _f, through the relationT=knσ _føt wheren is the number of fissile atoms per cm² in the deposit, ø is the neutron flux,k is fission track registration efficiency andt is the time of irradiation. The fission cross sectionσ _f of²³²Th, relative to the well measured fission cross section of²³⁸U, was found to be 0.36±0.04 barn.     

Search for <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>-odd asymmetry of prompt neutron emission in <Superscript>235</Superscript>U fission induced by cold polarized neutrons

The preliminary result of the P-odd asymmetry of prompt neutron emission in ²³⁵U fission induced by polarized cold neutrons is a=(2.7±0.8)×10^?5. Only scission neutrons can show such asymmetry, whereas neutrons emitted by excited fragments are the unavoidable background, which suppress the sought asymmetry. The P-odd asymmetry of light fragment emission for ²³⁵U is equal to (8.4±0.6)×10^?5. Assuming that the last figure defines the parity mixture of the fissile nucleus, then the suppression factor is equal approximately to 3.     

Long-range alpha emission inP-wave neutron induced fission of235U

The yield and energy distribution of long-range alpha-particles (lra) emitted from neutron-induced fission of²³⁵U have been measured at neutron energies; thermal, 125±12, 155±11, 185±10, 210±9, 240±9, 365±50 and 480±45 keV. The long-range alpha-particles were detected in cellulose nitrate track detector foils. Results showed an increase of about 50% in the yield at neutron energies in the region 150 keV≤E _n≤220 keV as compared to that of thermal neutrons. A calculation has been carried out to extract thelra to binary fission ratio forp-wave neutron induced fission.     

Nuclear excitation and prompt fission in muonic238U

A study of muonic²³⁸U has been performed in a combined (μ ^?,γ f) and (μ ^?,γγ) coincidence experiment to investigate the role of non-radiative transitions and their fission probabilities. An augmentation of the outer fission barrier ofΔE _b =(0.6±0.1) MeV due to the presence of the muon is deduced. A significant contribution to the prompt fission yield not only results from the (2p→1s) and (3d→1s) non-radiative transitions, but also from other radiationless transitions. Specifically, the measured fission probabilities of the transitions (2p→1s), (3d→1s), and (3p→1s) are (1.5±0.4)%, (5.7±1.7)%, and (5.3±1.9)%, respectively.     

Die Konversion des86mRb

^86mRb was produced by irradiation of natural Rb and Rb enriched in⁸⁷Rb (99.2%) with fast neutrons. The half-life ofT _1/2=(61.2±1.0) sec and the energy ofE _ρ=(556.03±0.25) keV were remeasured. The experimental conversion coefficients α_tot=0.0184±0.0015 andα _K =0.0158±0.0015 yield the multipolarity of E4 for the isomeric transition. The spin of 6^? was assigned to the isomeric state. It is proposed that the spin 6^? is formed by coupling ap _3/2-proton and ag _9/2-neutron according to Nordheim's “weak” rule.     

Investigation of the decay rate for71Ge in chemical compounds and calibration of the Mössbauer isomer shift of the 67 keV γ-transition of73Ge

Changes of the radioactive decay rate of⁷¹Ge (T _1/2=11.43 days) have been studied experimentally for⁷¹Ge in some compounds of bivalent and quadrivalent germanium. Relative changes Δλ/λ of the electron capture probability have been measured, and the chemical changes Δρ(0) of the electron density at the germanium nuclei have been determined from these measurements. Values for the Mössbauer isomer shift calibration constants for the 67 keV γ-transition of⁷³Ge have been estimated:C=δ/Δρ(0)=(0.061±0.020) mm·s^?1/a.u., Δ〈r ²〉=(21±7)·10^?3 fm², ΔR/R=(6.9±2.3)·10^?4.     

Mechanism of the appearance of angular distribution anisotropy for evaporation neutrons in center-of-mass systems emitting their thermalized fission fragments

Anisotropy in the angular distributions of cascade-evaporation neutrons in center-of-mass systems emitting their fission fragments is analyzed in the context of the quantum theory of fission. It is emphasized that such anisotropy is caused not by bending but by wriggling oscillations of the fissioning nucleus in the vicinity of its point of scission; these lead to the appearance of high-value spins of primary fission fragments [(J)\vec]₁\vec J_1 and [(J)\vec]₂\vec J_2 oriented in a plane perpendicular to direction [(n)\vec]₀\vec n_0 of the axis of symmetry of the fissioning nucleus at the instant of scission. This direction coincides with the asymptotic direction of the emission of fission fragments with a high degree of accuracy. The analytical dependences of the anisotropy coefficient on the orbital momentum l and total spin j in angular distributions of cascade-evaporation neutrons are calculated using the methods developed in analyzing angular distributions of cascade-evaporation gamma quanta. The proper spin of a neutron is shown to have almost no effect on the aforesaid anisotropy coefficient due to the weak dependence of the neutron transmission coefficient T _lj ([`(e)]\bar \varepsilon ) on the values of j.     

Ferroelectric and optical properties of Ba6Ti2Nb8O30 single crystals

The dielectric, optical and non-linear optical properties of Ba₆Ti₂Nb₈O₃₀ single crystals were examined from room temperature up to the Curie temperature of 245°C. The spontaneous polarization at room temperature was estimated as 0·22±0·01 C/m². The linear electrooptic constants were measured as r₃₃^T=(1·17±0·02)×10^?10 and r₁₃^T=(0·42±0·01)×10^?10 m/V. The non-linear optical coefficients were d₃₃=(15·1±2·0)×10^?12 and d₃₁=(11·0±2·0)×10^?12 m/V, which are comparable to those of Ba₄Na₂Nb₁₀O₃₀. Temperature dependences of δ₃₃ and δ₃₁ (Miller's δ) were found to be proportional to that of P_s.     

T-odd asymmetries for evaporation neutrons in nuclear fission

T-odd asymmetries in the angular distributions of evaporation neutrons emitted by thermalized fission fragments in the fission of axially symmetric deformed nuclei by cold polarized neutrons are investigated within the quantum theory of fission. The asymmetries in question are due to the anisotropy of angular distributions of evaporation neutrons in the center-of-mass systems of the fission fragments, and this anisotropy arises from the orientation of large-value fission fragment spins in the direction perpendicular to the direction K ₀ of the symmetry axis of the fissioning nucleus at the time of its scission, caused by zero wriggling vibrations of the fissioning nucleus. The angle of rotation of the vector k ₀ with respect to the asymptotic direction k ₀ of the fissioning nucleus symmetry axis is calculated with allowance for the interference of fission amplitudes of neutron resonances excited in a fissioning nucleus as it captures an incident neutron. It is shown that the T-odd asymmetry coefficient for evaporation neutrons is close in structure and value to the analogous coefficient for evaporation γ-rays.     

Messung der Lebensdauer angeregter Kernniveaus von Al28, Cs133, Pr141, W182 und Pt195

The halflife of excited states in some nuclei has been measured by the method of delayed coincidences. Two different experimental arrangements have been used: a conventional scintillation counter equipment and a fast gasfilled parallelplate avalanche-counter. The results of these measurements are: 31 keV-level in Al²⁸:T _1/2=(1.91±0.08) · 10^?9 sec, 81 keV-level in Cs¹³³:T _1/2=(6.25±0.05) · 10^?9 sec, 145 keV-level in Pr¹⁴¹:T _1/2=(1.85±0.03) · 10^?9 sec, 100keV-level in W¹⁸²:T _1/2=(1.45±0.04) · 10^?9 sec, 1290 keV-level in W¹⁸² T _1/2=(1.05±0.03) · 10^?9 sec, 99 keV-level in Pt¹⁹⁵:T _1/2≦1.6 · 10^?10 sec, 129 keV-level in Pt¹⁹⁵:T _1/2=(6.2±0.7) · 10^?10 sec. These experimental values are discussed and compared with theoretical model predictions.     

Elastic constants of solid krypton at T = 77 K determined by inelastic neutron scattering

Long-wavelength acoustic phonons have been studied for each of the [ζ00]T, [ζ00]L, [ζζ0]L and [ζζ0]T₁ branches in solid Kr at T = 77 K by means of inelastic neutron scattering utilizing ‘cold neutrons’ as they are available in the long-wave length tail of the pile spectrum. The raw data have been corrected for resolution effects taking into account the curvature of the dispersion surface and variation of mode eigenvectors. It has turned out, that this yields appreciable shifts of the raw data. The results of our experiment give c₁₁ = 4·25 ± 0·10, c₄₄ = 2·04 ± 0·03, c₁₂ = 2·82 ± 0·12 and a value for B = (c₁₁ + 2c₁₂)/3 = 3·30 ± 0·09 × 10¹⁰ dyne/cm². Available thermodynamic data for Kr gives a derived value for B^ad = 2·58 ± 0·06 × 10¹⁰ dyne/cm² indicating a large difference between zero sound and first sound in solid Kr at high temperatures.     

Der Zerfall des125m Xe,des127m Xe und des127g Xe

The decay of^125m Xe produced by the reaction¹²²Te(α, n)^125m Xe using a target enriched in¹²²Te (95.4%) and the decay of^127m Xe produced by the reaction¹²⁷J(d, 2n)^127m Xe have been investigated: ^125m Xe decays with a half-life ofT _1/2=(56±3) sec by ayy- cascade withE _γ1=(140.4 ±0.5) keV andE _γ2=(110.5 ±0.5) keV. The experimental conversion coefficients yield multipolarities ofE3 for the 140.4 keV isomeric transition and predominantlyM1 for the 110.5 keV-transition. ^127m Xe decays with a half-life ofT _1/2=(71±2) sec. The decay also proceeds by aγγ-cascade with an isomeric E3 transition ofE _γ1=(172.5±0.3) keV and a predominantlyM1 transition ofE _γ2=(124.6±0.3) keV. In the decay of^127g Xe an additional branching of the electron capture to a level at (618.1±0.3) keV was observed. The relative probability forK-captureP _K618/P_K375=0.40 ±0.07 yields a total transition energyQ _EC=(664 ±4)keV. A spin of 1/2⁺ was assigned to the ground state.     

Spurenanalyse von Cu in ZnS-Phosphoren mittels Neutronenaktivierung

The half life of the 206 kev state of Re¹⁸⁷ was determined with delayed coincidence technic to be:T _1/2=(5·70±0·05)·10^?7 s. The rotation of the spin of the 206 kev state in a magnetic field has been observed in a differential angular correlation measurement with the 480 kev?72 kevγ?γ cascade. From the observed Larmor frequency a magnetic moment ofμ=(5·02±0·06)μ _K for the 206 kev level has been derived. The 480 kev?72 kevγ?γ angular correlation was found to be undisturbed in an aqueous solution of ammoniumtungstate.     

Messung der Lebensdauer angeregter Kernniveaus von Gd155

Using two different experimental arrangements, the halflife of the following excited nuclear states in Gd¹⁵⁵ have been measured by the method of delayed coincidences: 60.0 keV-level:T _1/2=(2.4±0.6) · 10^?10 sec, 86.5 keV-level:T _1/2=(6.35±0.09) · 10^?9 sec, 105.3 keV-level:T _1/2=(1.14±0.03) · 10^?9 sec. These results are discussed and compared with the predictions of the collective model.     

The14N(n,p)14C reaction cross section for thermal neutrons

The¹⁴N(n,p)¹⁴C reaction cross section has been measured for thermal neutrons, making use of the neutron beam of the IBR-30 pulsed booster of the JINR, Dubna. Thermal neutrons were identified by a time-offlight method. Solid adenin targets were utilized. An ionization chamber was used for detecting the charged particles. The cross section was found to beσ _np ^th =(1.83±0.07)b.     

Nuclear spin lattice relaxation of191m Ir in Fe

Thermal cycling of the lattice temperature was used to determine the nuclear spin lattice relaxation of^191m IrFe in polarizing fields of 0.05 to 1.3 T. At low temperatures, the relaxation time is not very much shorter than the lifetime of^191m Ir. In the first part of the paper, the master equation formalism is extended to include a finite lifetime. Our result for the reduced relaxation constant, γ² C _K =(1.48±0.11)·10¹⁴ K s^?1 T^?2 (high field limit) is in serious disagreement with that of a spin echo measurement of¹⁹³IrFe, but fits much better into the general systematics. A comparison of relaxation rates for 3d-, 4d-, and 5d-impurities in Fe is given. As a by-product, a Kapitza conductivity constant ofl _K =1.5 mW cm^?2 K^?4±30% was found between Fe and dilute³He/⁴He.     

The probability of prompt and delayed fission of muonic237Np

Fission fragments from the reaction²³⁷Np(μ ^?,γ,f) have been measured in coincidence with muonic X-rays. The efficiency of the fission fragment detector is determined from (μ ^?,γ,f)-data of the same experiment. The total fission probability perμ-stopP _t has been measured as well as the fission probabilities P_f of the non-radiative muonic (3d→1s)- and (2p→1s)-transitions; the latter has been divided into two parts leading to different mean excitation energiesE:P _t =(54±17)%,P _f (3d→1s)=(41±21)%,P _f (2p→1s,E=6.218 MeV)=(61±19)%, andP _f (2p→1s,E=6.525 MeV)=(57±18)%. The influence of the muon on the fission barrier is discussed. The fission probability after muon capture is compared with a calculated value using a distribution of nuclear excitation energies following muon capture and the fission probability as measured in a²³⁸U(³He,αf)-reaction.     

Determination of the fission barrier of232Pu from β-delayed fission and the problem of the first barrier

A delayed fission activity with a half-life of (55±7) s and a production cross section of (5±1)nb has been observed in the irradiation of²³⁷Np with 104 MeVα particles. It is tentatively assigned to the electron capture decay of²³²Am followed by fission of²³²Pu With a probability of (1.3 _?0.8 ⁺⁴ )· 10^?2 A barrier height of (5.3±0.4) MeV is extracted for²³²Pu exceeding theoretical barrier heights by about 2MeV. Systematic deviations between experimental and theoretical barrier heights previously observed in particular for U and Th isotopes are now also established for neutron deficient Pu isotopes indicating severe defects in the procedure of calculating static fission barriers.     

Mößbauereffekt in Eisenstilben und FeCl2·H2O

Using Mößbauer effect measurements in the temperature range between 3 °K and 310 °K the magnetic fields at the nucleus in iron-stilbene, FeCl₂·H₂O and FeCl₃ are determined to beH _T=0=(250±10) kOe, (252±18) kOe and (468±10) kOe; a Néel-temperature ofT _N=(23±1) °K is measured for iron-stilbene. The electric quadrupole splittings atT=0 °K for iron-stilbene and FeCl₂ ·H ₂ O, ΔE=(+2.52±0.02) mm/sec and (+2.50±0.05) mm/sec, yield electric field gradients at the iron nucleus ofq _z=+9.7·10¹⁷ V/cm² and +9.6·10¹⁷ V/cm², whereq _z⊥H; Debyetemperatures of θ=162 °K and 188 °K are obtained. The energy of the excited 3d-electron levels in iron-stilbene is estimated to Δ₁=309 cm^?1 and Δ₂=618cm^?1 as deduced from the temperature dependence ofΔE. In contrast to the suggestion ofEuler andWillstaedt bivalence of the iron in ironstilbene is found; its composition is shown to be 4(FeCl₂ ·H ₂O)·stilbene.