Influence of shell effects on the angular distributions of fission fragments

A dynamical-statistical model is used to analyze the experimental angular distributions of fission fragments in the reactions α + ²³⁸U, ²³⁷Np at E _α = 20–100 MeV, as well as to determine the Am isotope fission probabilities and the shape isomer yields in the reactions d + ^242,240Pu at E _d = 20–30 MeV. Manifestations of shell effects are found in the fission barrier structure up to the excitation energies of 50–60 MeV.     

Influence of pre-saddle neutrons on the fission fragment angular distribution

In the present note it is shown that distinguishing between pre-saddle and saddle-to-scission neutrons removes a discrepancy previously found [2–4] between data for the fission fragment anisotropy and an analysis in the framework of the transition state theory in which it has been assumed that all pre-scission neutrons influence the temperature at the saddle point. The analysis of the present paper requires a fairly weak (=2 * 10²¹ s ^–1) friction at compact shapes, in agreement with a previous [9,10] analysis of prescission neutron multiplicities and fission probabilities.     

Single-particle spin effect on fission fragment angular momentum

Independent isomeric yield ratios (IYR) of ¹²⁸Sb, ¹³⁰Sb, ¹³²Sb, ¹³¹Te, ¹³³Te, ¹³²I, ¹³⁴I, ¹³⁶I, ¹³⁵Xe, and ¹³⁸Cs have been determined in the fast neutron-induced fission of ²⁴³Am using the radiochemical and γ-ray spectrometric technique. From the IYR, fragment angular momenta (J _rms) have been deduced using the spin-dependent statistical model analysis. From the J _rms-values and experimental kinetic energy data deformation parameters (β) have been deduced using the pre-scission bending mode oscillation model and the statistical model. The J _rms- and β-values of fission fragments from the present and earlier work in the odd-Z fissioning systems ( ²³⁸Np ^* , ²⁴²Am ^* and ²⁴⁴Am ^* ) are compared with the literature data in the even-Z fissioning systems ( ^{230, 233}Th ^* , ^{233, 234, 236, 239}U ^* , ^{239, 240, 241, 242}Pu ^* , ²⁴⁴Cm(SF), ^{245, 246}Cm ^* , ²⁵⁰Cf ^* and ²⁵²Cf(SF)) to examine the role of single-particle (proton) spin effect. It was observed that i) in all the fissioning systems J _rms- and β-values of the fragments with spherical 82n shell and even-Z products are lower than the fragments away from the spherical neutron shell and odd-Z products, which indicate the effect of nuclear structure. ii) For both even-Z and odd-Z fission products J _rms-values increase with Z _F ²/A _F due to increase in Coulomb torque. iii) The J _rms- and β-values of even-Z fission products are comparable in all the fissioning systems. However, for odd-Z fission products they are slightly higher in the odd-Z fissioning systems compared to their adjacent even-Z fissioning systems. This is possible due to the contribution of the extra single-particle (proton) spin of the odd-Z fissioning systems to their odd-Z fragments. iv) The yield-weighted fragment angular momentum and elemental yields profile shows an anti-correlation in even-Z fissioning systems but not in the odd-Z fissioning systems.     

Dynamical model of fission fragment angular distributions

A dynamical model of fission fragment angular distributions is developed. The experimental data on the angular anisotropy of fission fragments is analyzed for the ¹⁶O + ²⁰⁸Pb, ²³²Th, ²³⁸U, and ²⁴⁸Cm reactions at energies of the incident ¹⁶O ions ranging from 90 to 160 MeV. This analysis allows us to extract the relaxation time for the tilting mode. It was also demonstrated that the angular distributions are sensitive to the deformation dependence of the nuclear friction.

     

Effect of entrance channel parameters on fission fragment angular momentum in medium energy fission

Independent isomeric yield ratios of¹³²I were radiochemically determined in alpha particle induced fission of²³⁸U in the energy range 25–44 MeV. Fission fragment angular momenta were deduced from the measured isomeric yield ratios using spin dependent statistical model analysis. It was seen that angular momentum of¹³²I increases with increase of excitation energy and angular momentum of the fissioning nucleus. Comparison of the present data on¹³²I in²³⁸U(α,f) with the literature data for the same product in²³⁸U(p, f) and²³⁸U(γ, f) at various excitation energies show that fragment angular momentum strongly depends on the input angular momentum in the range of excitation energy considered. Experimental fragment angular momentum at all excitation energies were seen to be in agreement with the theoretical values calculated based on thermal equilibration of the various collective rotational degrees after considering the occurence of multichance fission. Thus, strong effect of input angular momentum as well as the statistical equilibration among the various collective rotational degrees of freedom in medium energy fission is corroborated.     

Influence of pre-fission neutron emission on fission fragment angular distribution for the system209Bi +16O

The data of fission fragment anisotropies measured for the system¹⁶O +²⁰⁹Bi in the centre of mass energy region of 73 to 95 MeV have been compared with the saddle point statistical model calculations. The corrections to the nuclear temperature and the spin distribution arising due to pre-fission neutron emission have been made. While the resultant calculations reproduce very well the data in the near- and sub-barrier energy regions, they deviate from the data at higher energies. This observation is similar to what was already reported for¹⁶O +²⁰⁸Pb system.     

Understanding the anomalous fragment anisotropies in heavyion induced fission in the dynamical trajectory model

Dynamical trajectory model has been used to calculate the fusion and non-fusion trajectories in ¹⁰ B, ¹² C, ¹⁶ O, ¹⁹ F +²³² Th, ²³⁷ Np reactions. It is seen that in some of the above systems, there exists an l-window (above fusion l-value) for which the trajectories are characterised by large mass exchange and energy relaxation (fission-like) before the system undergoes symmetric split, without formation of a shape equilibrated compound nucleus. These events would correspond to a small value of the variance of the K-distribution, thereby leading to large fragment angular anisotropies. The fission fragment angular distributions, calculated as an admixture of these two classes of events (fusion and non-fusion), are able to explain the anomalous angular anisotropies observed experimentally for some systems at the above barrier energies.     

Fission fragment angular distribution in alpha-particle-induced fission of actinide elements

Using Lexan polycarbonate plastic as the fission fragment track detectors, the fragment angular distributions have been measured in the cases of fission of²³²Th and²³⁸U induced by alpha particles of various energies ranging from 40 to 70MeV obtained from the 88″ variable energy cyclotron at Calcutta. The center-of-mass angular distributions have been calculated and fitted by a series of Legendre polynomials. TheW(10°)/W(90°) ratios (defined as anisotropy) were measured at several energies for both the targets. These data are utilized in calculation of the energy dependence ofK ₀ ² , the standard deviation of the distribution in the angular momentum projection on the nuclear symmetry axis at the saddle point. Values of Γ _f /Γ _η , i.e. the ratio of the fission width to neutron emission width have been determined for²³²Th and²³⁸U nuclei. The integral cross-section for alpha induced fission in each target was determined by numerical integration of the respective center-of-mass angular differential cross-sections. The results were compared with similar data available in the literature which served to resolve some of the discrepancies observed in earlier measurements. The results were also compared with theoretical cross-sections.     

Odd-even effect in fragment angular momentum in low-energy fission of actinides

Quantitative explanation for the odd-even effect on fragment angular momenta in the low-energy fission of actinides have been provided by taking into account the single particle spin of the odd proton at the fragment’s scission point deformation in the case of odd-Z fragments along with the contribution from the population of angular momentum bearing collective vibrations of the fissioning nucleus at scission point. The calculated fragment angular momenta have been found to be in very good agreement with the experimental data for fragments in the mass number region of 130–140. The odd-even effect observed in the fragment angular momenta in the low-energy fission of actinides has been explained quantitatively for the first time.      

Study of many-nucleon correlations in32S as a model for fragment shell effects in fission

The formation and break-up of substructures is studied in³²S as a calculable microscopic model for analogous long-range many-nucleon correlations in the fission of actinides. The calculations are performed for alpha-cluster wave functions with Volkov and Brink-Boeker interaction allowing forα,¹²C,¹⁶O and²⁰Ne clustering. It turns out that the correlated motion of large magic numbers of nucleons in two groups (¹⁶O+¹⁶O) is energetically favorable already at relatively small deformations. In the second minimum the¹⁶O+¹⁶O substructure occurs with high probability (about 80%). In analogy to these results the “pre-formation” of fragments and “fragment shell” effects occuring in the fission of actinides are explained in terms of probability statements for the formation of the corresponding heavy clusters in the many-body wave function.     

Sub-barrier fission fragment angular distributions for the system19F+232Th

The measurements of fission fragment angular distributions for the system¹⁹F+²³²Th have been extended to the sub-barrier energies of 89.3, 91.5 and 93.6 MeV. The measured anisotropies, within errors are nearly the same over this energy region. However, the deviation of the experimental values of anisotropies from that of standard statistical model predictions increases as the bombarding energy is lowered.     

Analysis of angular momentum dependence of fission fragment mass-energy distribution within Langevin dynamics

Dependence of fission fragment mass-energy distribution on the angular momentum is studied within Langevin dynamics. The calculations are performed in the framework of the generalized temperature-dependent finite-range liquid drop model. The analysis is done for five compound nuclear systems representing heavy fissioning nuclei, medium fissioning nuclei, and a light fissioning one with the angular momentum varied in a wide range from l = 0 to 70?. The coefficients d〈E _K 〉/dl ² and $d\sigma _{{\rm E}_{\rm K} }^2 /dl^2 $ are extracted. Previous analysis of the dσ _M ² /dl ² coefficient is generalized. Excitation energy dependence of the fission fragment mass-energy distribution is also found. The qualitative comparison of the extracted values with the experimental data reveals good agreement for all the cases. The calculated values of the coefficients dσ _M ² /dl ² and $d\sigma _{{\rm E}_{\rm K} }^2 /dl^2 $ are functions of the angular momentum, in contrast to the experimental estimations.     

Correlations of fission fragment angular momentum with collective and intrinsic degrees of freedom

In the present work angular momenta of the fragments corresponding to¹³²I^m,g have been deduced from the radiochemically determined independent isomeric yield ratios and statistical model based analysis in neutron induced fission of²³⁵U,²³⁹Pu and²⁴⁵Cm and spontaneous fission of²⁵²Cf. These data along with similar data on¹³⁴I, reported earlier from this laboratory, bring out the effects of deformed 66n and spherical 82n shells on fragment angular momentum showing also an inverse correlation of the latter with elemental yields. Quantitative estimates of fragment scission point deformation and the coefficient of change of fragment angular momentum with kinetic/excitation energy have been deduced and are seen to be in good agreement with the expected theoretical estimates.     

Frictional effects on post-scisson dynamics and fission fragment kinetic energies

Effect of friction on the post-scission motion of fission fragments is studied. It is shown that, with values of the frictional constant in the neighbourhood of those obtained from heavy-ion reaction data, no significant pre-scission kinetic energy can exist.     

Application of pulse shape discrimination in Si detector for fission fragment angular distribution measurements

Pulse shape discrimination (PSD) with totally depleted transmission type Si surface barrier detector in reverse mount has been investigated to identify fission fragments in the presence of elastic background in heavy ion-induced fission reactions by both numerical simulation and experimental studies. The PSD method is compared with the other conventional methods adopted to identify fission fragments with solid-state detectors such as ΔE–E telescope and single thin ΔE detector and the data for the¹⁰B +²³²Th fission reaction are presented. Results demonstrate the usefulness of a single transmission-type surface barrier detector for the identification of fission fragments and projectiles like heavy ions     

The effect of angular momentum coupling on the angular distribution of fission fragments

We examine what information can be obtained from fission angular distributions through precise measurements and an analysis in terms of the simple statistical model of Ericson. We report on the systematics of the decoupling angle and present the role of the angular momentum coupling between the entrance and the exit channel. The results indicate that the directional coupling of the angular momentum in the entrance and the exit channel is always strong for heavy-ion induced fission, and the angular momentum coupling plays a decisive role on the angular distribution of fission fragments. The average channel spins of fission fragments 〈I_f〉 are deduced through the decoupling angles determined experimentally. They agree well with γ-multiplicity measurements.     

Fission fragment angular distributions for neutron fission of 232Th and their interpretation with a triple-humped fission barrier

The fission fragment angular distributions have been measured for the neutron fission of ²³²Th at a number of energies near the neutron threshold. An exhaustive search has been made for a set of transition states and barrier parameters that would simultaneously fit the angular distributions and reproduce quantitatively the structure seen in the neutron fission cross section. No satisfactory fit to both types of data could be obtained with a double-humped fission barrier. However, use of a triple-humped fission barrier does provide a reasonable fit to all the experimental data.     

Lifetime estimates for asymmetric fission of Pu,including shell effects

The lifetime for spontaneous fission of ²⁴⁰Pu is evaluated in an adiabatic approach with the WKB-approximation, where left-right asymmetry is taken into account in both the potential (Strutinsky's method) and the kinetic energy (cranking model). The ratio of the lifetimes for symmetric and asymmetric fission agrees with the available data. The predicted peak-to-peak ratio in the fragment mass distribution is slightly larger (∼1.5) than the experimental one.     

Quantum mechanical method of fragment’s angular and energy distribution calculation for binary and ternary fission

In the framework of quantum-mechanical fission theory, the method of calculation for partial fission width amplitudes and asymptotic behavior of the fissile nucleus wave function with strong channel coupling taken into account has been suggested. The method allows one to solve the calculation problem of angular and energy distribution countation for binary and ternary fission. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Systematics on fission fragment mass distribution of neutron induced 235U fission

Based on the neutron induced fission fragment mass distribution data up to