Independent yields of Kr and Xe fragments in the photofission of <Superscript>237</Superscript>Np and <Superscript>243</Superscript>Am odd nuclei

Results are presented that were obtained by measuring the independent yields of Kr (A = 89–93) and Xe (A = 135–142) appearing as fragments in the photofission of ²³⁷Np and ²⁴³Am odd nuclei. The respective experiments were performed in a beam of bremsstrahlung photons from electrons accelerated to an energy of 25 MeV at the microtron of the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR, Dubna). Use was made of the procedure involving the transportation of fragments emitted from the target by a gas flow along a capillary and the condensation of inert gases in a cryostat at liquid-nitrogen temperature. The identification of Kr and Xe appearing as fragments was performed by the gamma spectra of their daughter products. The mass-number distributions of the independent yields of Kr and Xe isotopes were obtained, along with those for the complementary fragments (Y and La in the fission of ²³⁷Np and Nb and Pr in the fission of ²⁴³Am).     

Isoscaling and fission modes in the yields of the Kr and Xe isotopes from photofission of actinides

Yields of Kr and Xe isotopes in photofission of ²³²Th, ²³⁸U, ²³⁷Np, ²⁴⁴Pu, ²⁴³Am, and ²⁴⁸Cm were tested for isoscaling dependence. Isoscaling for Kr is revealed. For Xe, isoscaling is found to be affected by the STI and STII fission modes governed by the N = 82 and N = 88 neutron shells. The work was performed at the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR).     

Analysis of the cross section for <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th photofission in the subbarrier energy region

A theoretical analysis of the most detailed experimental data on the subbarrier fission of ²³²Th is performed. The energy dependences of the components of the cross sections for photofission through specific channels characterized by the quantum numbers J ^π K are obtained on the basis of previously measured total photofission cross sections and angular distributions of fission fragments. A theoretical analysis of the subbarrier photofission of ²³²Th is performed on the basis of the results obtained for these components. This analysis relies on the one-dimensional fission model within which one assumes a three-humped structure of the fission barrier and introduces damping in the second and third wells by including an imaginary part in the potential used. Values are selected for the parameters of the fission barriers and are compared with similar data from other studies. It is shown that the energy dependences of the photofission cross sections in question can be described adequately.     

Subthreshold photofission of even-even nuclei

Within quantum-mechanical fission theory, the angular distributions of fragments originating from the subthreshold photofission of the even-even nuclei ²³²Th, ²³⁴U, ²³⁶U, ²³⁸U, ²³⁸Pu, ²⁴⁰Pu, and ²⁴²Pu are analyzed for photon energies below 7 MeV. Special features of various fission channels are assessed under the assumption that the fission barrier has a two-humped shape. It is shown that the maximum value of the relative orbital angular momentum L _m of fission fragments can be found upon taking into account deviations from the predictions of A. Bohr’s formula for the angular distributions of fission fragments. The result is L _m ≈ 30. The existence of an “isomeric shelf” for the angular distributions of fragments from ²³⁶U and ²³⁸U photofission in the low-energy region is confirmed.     

Analysis of fragment mass distribution in asymmetric area at fission of <Superscript>235</Superscript>U induced by thermal neutrons

The fragment mass yields in fission of ²³⁵U induced by thermal neutrons for A = 145–160 and E_K = 50–75 MeV were measured using a mass spectrometer. The fine structure is observed at A = 153, 154 and E_K = 50–60 MeV. The obtained results were described in the framework of a model based on the dinuclear system concept. The analyzed correlation between the total kinetic energy and mass distribution of fission fragments is connected with the shell structure of the formed fragments of fission. From this correlation and the time dependence of the calculated mass distribution of the binary reaction products, one can conclude that the descent time from a saddle point to a scission point for the more deformed fragments is longer than that for fragments of more compact shape.     

Coriolis interaction in the second well of deformation potential and low-energy fission

It is shown that, because of sufficiently large energy spacing between neutron resonance states (NRS-II) in the second well of the deformation potential for actinide nuclei, the Coriolis interaction, mixing the states of an axially symmetric deformed nuclei with different values of the projection K of the nuclear spin J onto the symmetry axis, is week, and the K value in the wave functions of NRS-II is a good quantum number. It is concluded that the K distribution for the states of fissile actinide nuclei in the vicinity of their scission point into fission fragments is determined by simultaneous influence of the internal and external fission barriers, which allows to coordinate the experimental data on subbarrier photofission with the P-odd and P-even correlations in the angular distributions of fission fragments.     

Spectral characteristics of a barrier discharge in cadmium dihalide vapor-inert gas mixtures

Spectral characteristics of a barrier-discharge plasma produced in atmospheric-pressure mixtures of cadmium diiodide and cadmium dibromide vapors with neon, krypton, and xenon at a repetition rate of sine voltage pulses up to 130 kHz are studied. The emission from the discharge is studied within the spectral range 200–900 nm with a resolution of 0.05 nm. Emission of exciplex molecules CdI(B → X) and CdBr(C, B → X), and cadmium and inert gas atoms is revealed, as well as emission of exciplex molecules XeI(B → X, A) and XeBr(B → X, A) in xenon-containing mixtures. The emission of xenon halides prevails in the spectra at a mixture temperature up to 200°C. With a further temperature increase, the emission of cadmium halides becomes dominating. It is ascertained that the most intense emissions of CdI(B → X) and CdI₂/CdBr₂/Xe/Kr and CdBr(B → X) molecules are observed, respectively, in CdI₂/CdBr₂/Xe/Kr and CdI₂/CdBr₂/Xe mixtures. The cadmium dihalide-inert gas mixtures are of interest for the use as a radiating gas in a multiwavelength and broadband excilamp emitting in the UV and visible spectral ranges.     

Investigations of fission characteristics and correlation effects

We review the experimental results on the P-even and P-odd angular correlations of fission fragments in the fission of the ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu nuclei induced by unpolarized and polarized resonance neutrons, and on the TRI and ROT effects in the ternary and binary fission of actinides induced by polarized thermal neutrons. Also reported are the measured yields of prompt and delayed neutrons per fission event. The experimental data are analyzed within a novel theoretical framework developed by the JINR—RNC KI Collaboration, whereby the reduction of the multidimensional phase space of fission fragments to the JπK-channel space is consistently validated and the role of resonance interference in the observed correlation effects is revealed.     

Angular-anisotropy coefficients for fragment originating from the resonance-neutron-induced fission of <Superscript>235</Superscript>U oriented nuclei

Statistical distributions of the coefficients measured for the angular distribution of fragments originating from the fission of ²³⁵U oriented nuclei that was induced by resonance neutrons obtained by using booster targets at the electron accelerator in Harwell and at a pulsed reactor in Dubna were approximated by a curve that was calculated under the assumption of a normal distribution of partial-wave fission amplitudes. A cutoff from below at a level of one-half of the average partial-wave width was introduced in this distribution. The calculation was performed with allowance for the K = 0, 1 and 2 channels for J = 3 and the K = 1 and 2 channels for J =4. The contributions of the K channels to the total probability were in the ratio 0.15 : 0.53 : 0.32 for J = 3 and in the ratio 0.625 : 0.375 for J = 4. A strong suppression of the K = 0 channel in the J = 3 spin subsystem in contrast to the situation observed in photofission can be interpreted as an indication of the possible partial conservation of K in resonance states formed from the entrance channel, which features only maximum values of K equal to J and J ? 1.     

Formation of primary particles in stopped pion absorption reactions

The results from analyzing the yields of protons (p), deuterons (d), and tritons (t) formed in the absorption of stopped π^– mesons by intranuclear clusters are presented. The contributions from cluster absorption to the production of hydrogen isotopes in stopped pion absorption reactions are determined. Phenomenological formulas are proposed for describing the mass number (A) dependences of the yields of the primary protons with ～15% precision in the mass number range of 6 < A < 209 (and of the primary deuterons and tritons in the mass number range of 59 < A < 209). Evidence is observed of the constancy of the ratio between the elemental absorption widths for the absorption of pions by pp and pn pairs over the investigated range of mass numbers.     

Nucleon-content effect on the fission lifetime of excited nuclei

It was shown previously that the fission lifetime of a nucleus excited to about 100 MeV depends strongly and nonmonotonically on the initial value of its angular momentum L ₀. This result was obtained on the basis of a refined version of the combined dynamical and statistical model. The present study is devoted to a theoretical analysis of the dependence of the fission time on the nucleonic composition of the nucleus involved. The respective calculations were performed within the same model. The dependence of the average fission time 〈t _f 〉 on the initial fissility parameter (Z ²/A)₀ appears to be of a resonance type and is similar to its dependence on L ₀. This dependence of the average fission time on (Z ²/A)₀ stems both from statistical calculations and from a dynamical simulation of the fission mode with allowance for friction. The conditions under which the average fission time reaches a maximum are specified. The dependence of the average fission time on (Z ²/A)₀ remains nonmonotonic in the fusion-fission reaction as well, in which case the distribution of compound nuclei with respect to the initial angular momentum is broad.     

Components of antineutrino emission in nuclear reactor

New ?_ee scattering experiments aimed at sensitive searches for the ν_e magnetic moment and projects to explore small mixing angle neutrino oscillations at reactors require a better understanding of the reactor antineutrino spectrum. Six components which contribute to the total ?_e spectrum generated in a nuclear reactor are considered. They are beta decays of the fission fragments of ²³⁵U, ²³⁹Pu, ²³⁸U, and ²⁴¹Pu and decays of beta emitters produced as a result of neutron capture in ²³⁸U and in accumulated fission fragments which perturb the spectrum. For antineutrino energies of less than 3.5 MeV and for each of the four fissile isotopes, the time evolution of ?_e spectra is given during fuel irradiation and after the irradiation is stopped. The relevant uncertainties are estimated. Small corrections to the ILL spectra are considered.     

The decay of127Cs

The decay of¹²⁷Cs (T _1/2=6.2 h) was investigated by means of a Ge(Li) spectrometer and a double-focusingβ-ray spectrometer. The decay scheme for¹²⁷Cs is presented including eight new levels. The spins and parities for¹²⁷Xe levels were determined. Based on the determination of the spins for the ground and first excited levels the spin 9/2 for the isomeric state of¹²⁷Xe was proposed. The relative cumulative yields of caesium isotopes from the spallation of natural cerium with 660 MeV protons are given.     

Nucleus shape at the scission point at different kinetic energies of fission fragments

Deformations of fission fragments at fixed kinetic energies of a light fragment have been calculated within the droplet model. The calculations performed demonstrate the existence of a spherical shape with A ₁ = 76 and A _h = 134 (β₁, β_h ≈ 0). Fragments with A ₁ < 76 and A _h < 130 pass from the spherical to flattened shape. Fragments with A _h < 126 again acquire an elongated shape.     

Special features of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis> = 0 channel in nuclear fission

The opinion that the K = 0 fission channel is completely closed if the spin J and the parity π of the nucleus undergoing fission do not satisfy the condition (?1) ^J = π is widespread. On the basis of a detailed analysis of quantum numbers characterizing the rotational states of deformed nuclei, it is shown that this opinion is erroneous. In fact, the K = 0 channel may be partly open. Its suppression is caused by special features of fission barriers in the state being considered. It is also shown that factors that suppress the K = 0channel may exist even in states characterized by J and π values such that they satisfy the condition (?1) ^J = π. More precise information about the contribution of the K = 0 channel may be obtained by measuring the hexadecapole component of the angular distribution of fragments originating from the slow-neutron-induced fission of aligned nuclei.     

Preliminary results of the experiment on search for neutron nuclei on a nuclear reactor

An experiment on search for neutron nuclei in the reaction of neutron-induced fission of ²³⁵U nuclei has been performed on a nuclear reactor. The hypothetical reaction ¹²²Te(^xn, (x ? k)n)^{122 + k} Te → (β^?) → ^{122 + k} I (x = k ≥ 10) has been investigated. The radiochemical method for selecting iodine isotopes from tellurium was used. The upper limit on the probability of formation of neutron clusters has been obtained: P _k ≤ 10^?8 (fission)^?1 for ¹¹n clusters and P _k ≤ 10^?9 (fission)^?1 for ¹¹n clusters.     

Cumulative production of three-nucleon nuclei in <Superscript>16</Superscript>O<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis> collisions at a momentum of 3.25 GeV/<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis> per nucleon

The production of cumulative three-nucleon nuclei (³H and ³He) in ¹⁶Op collisions at a momentum of 3.25 GeV/c per nucleon were studied for the first time under conditions of 4π geometry. The slope parameter of the cross section for the production of cumulative three-nucleon nuclei was determined, and new data on correlations of the yields of A = 3 cumulative nuclei, charged particles, and fragments in ¹⁶Op interactions are reported. The properties of cumulative and noncumulative events were found to be substantially different, and evidence for the presence of a common universal feature in the mechanisms for the cumulative production of hadrons and light nuclear fragments was obtained.     

New Constraints on the Axion–Photon Coupling Constant for Solar Axions

Resonance excitation of the ⁸³Kr first nuclear level (E = 9.4 keV) by solar axions formed via the Primakoff mechanism is sought. The γ- and X-ray photons and the conversion and Auger electrons arising from the excited-level relaxation are detected with a gas proportional counter of a low-background detector in the underground Baksan Neutrino Observatory. The following experimental constraint is obtained for the product of the axion–photon coupling constant and the axion mass:|g_Aγ × m_A| ≤ 6.3 × 10 ^-17 In the framework of the hadronic-axion model, this corresponds to a new axion-mass constraint of m_A ≤ 12.7 eV at 95% C.L.     

Atom-Atom-Streuexperimente: Geschwindigkeitsabhängigkeit einiger totaler Streuquerschnitte

The velocity dependence of total cross sections for the collision partners Cs-Hg, K-Hg, Xe, Kr, Ar has been measured in crossed beams. Except for Cs-Hg glory scattering oscillations were resolved. Invariably good agreement with theoretical predictions is found for the extrema velocities assumingn-6 potentials with 8≦n≦16 or exp-6 potentials with 10≦α≦18, for the amplitudes of the oscillations no fit is obtained. K-Hg, probably also K-Xe and K-Kr appear to deviate from theν ^?2/5 average velocity dependence expected for dipole-dipole interaction at large distances.