Fission of <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th in a spallation neutron field

The spatial distributions of thorium fission reaction rate in a spallation neutron field of thick lead target bombarded by protons or deuterons with energy between 1.0 and 3.7 GeV were measured. Approximately a linear dependence of the thorium fission rate on the beam energy is observed. The mean fission cross section of ²³²Th 〈σ _f 〉 ≈ 123 mb and it does not depend on energy and type of the beam particles.     

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.     

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.     

Time features of delayed neutrons and partial emissive-fission cross sections for the neutron-induced fission of 232Th nuclei in the energy range 3.2–17.9 MeV

The energy dependence of the relative abundances of delayed neutrons and the energy dependence of the half-lives of their precursors in the neutron-induced fission of ²³²Th nuclei in the energy range 3.2–17.9 MeV were measured for the first time. A systematics of the time features of delayed neutrons is developed. This systematics makes it possible to estimate the half-life of delayed-neutron precursors as a function of the nucleonic composition of fissile nuclei by using a single parameter set for all nuclides. The energy dependence of the partial cross sections for emissive fission in the reaction ²³²Th(n, f) was analyzed on the basis of data obtained for the relative abundances of delayed neutrons and the aforementioned half-lives and on the basis of the created systematics of the time features of delayed neutrons. It was shown experimentally for the first time that the decrease in the cross section after the reaction threshold in the fission of ²³²Th nuclei (it has a pronounced first-chance plateau) is not an exclusion among the already studied uranium, plutonium, and curium isotopes and complies with theoretical predictions obtained for the respective nuclei with allowance for shell, superfluid, and collective effects in the nuclear-level density and with allowance for preequilibrium neutron emission     

Absolute photofission cross sections for 232Th and 235,238U measured with monochromatic tagged photons (20 Mev < Eγ < 110 Mev)

The absolute photofission cross sections for ²³²Th and ^{235, 238} U has been studied from 20 to 110 MeV using the photon tagging technique at the Saclay linear electron accelerator (ALS). The fission fragments were directly detected using a parallel plate avalanche detector (PPAD). The basic experimental results are a set of data giving σ(E_γ, fission). These results are compared with the few other measurements performed with monochromatic photons. From a comparison of the present fission data with the total absorption cross section, the total fission probability was deduced. The behaviour of this probability was discussed in terms of a cascade model for fission-evaporation competition. Quite good agreement is found with a calculation based on the hybrid model of pre-equilibrium reactions.     

Hybrid model analysis of intermediate energy (20<E γ<140 MeV) photonuclear reactions on232Th and235,238U

The hybrid model code ALICE/LIVERMORE 82 (with fission option) has been used in the study of photonuclear reactions on²³²Th and^235,238U (20<E _γ<140 MeV). The total fission probabilitiesP _f were calculated. A model was established for the decay of the fission fragments. This model, together with the code ALICE, allowed the calculation of the cross sectionsσ ⁽ⁱ⁾ for emission of at leasti neutrons, and of the average multiplicity¯v and widthW of the neutron distribution for²³⁸U. The theoretical results forP _f ,σ ⁽ⁱ⁾ ,¯v andW show very good agreement with existing experimental data. It is shown that a comparison of the calculations with the available experimental data does not allow for a discrimination between the various photon absorption mechanisms proposed (single-particle absorption vs. quasi-deuteron mechanism).     

High energy predictions for ¯pp andpp elastic scattering and total cross sections

Predictions for thes behavior at high energies are made for¯pp andpp: the differential elastic scattering cross section dσ/dt vs.t, the squared 4-momentum transfer; the total elastic cross sectionσ _el; the nuclear slope parameterB; the curvature parameterC; ?, the ratio of the real to the imaginary portion of the forward scattering amplitude; and the total cross sectionσ _tot. A hybrid approach is employed in order to gain reliable predictions. The energy dependence of? andσ _tot is fixed by fittingpp and¯pp experimental data for? andσ _tot from 15 GeV toS¯ppS energies, using analytic amplitudes. The other quantities are found using the Chou-Yang model, where the total, cross section is fixed from the fit.     

The thermal neutron induced fission cross section of 232Th

The thermal neutron induced fission cross section of ²³²Th was measured using the highly pure thermal neutron beam from the 87 m curved neutron guide at the High Flux Reactor of the ILL (Grenoble). An upper limit of 4 μb was obtained for the fission cross section, which is an order of magnitude smaller than previous results. This result is discussed in terms of the double-humped fission barrier theory.     

Systematics of the mean energy and the mean multiplicity of prompt neutrons originating from 232Th fission

The cross section for the neutron-induced fission of ²³²Th target nuclei, ?? _f (E _n ), was described within statistical theory. The spectra of the mean multiplicity, $\bar v$ (E _n ), and the mean energy, $\bar E$ (E _n ), of secondary neutrons accompanying ²³²Th fission induced by neutrons of energy extending up to E _n = 20 MeV were analyzed on the basis of the chance structure of the cross section.     

K +-meson production inpBe interactions atT p=2.9 GeV

The production ofK ⁺ andπ ⁺ mesons and protons inpBe collisions atT _p=2.9 GeV has been studied at the ITEP proton synchrotron. Ejectiles with a momentum ofp=545 MeV/c were observed under an emission angle ?=17°. The detectors which have been developed for the identification of kaons out of a six orders of magnitude more intense background of pions and protons are described. A cross-section ratio d²σ _K ⁺/dΩdp: d² σ _p /dΩdp: d²σ _p /dΩdp of (1±0.34):(85±1):(31±1) has been measured. Normalization with existing pion data yields an invariant differential cross sectionE·d³σ _K ⁺/d³ p=(3.1±1.2) mbGeV^?2c³sr^?1 and a total cross section of σ_tot(pBe)=(3.7±1.5) mb. These cross sections are compared with existing data and theoretical predictions. TheA dependence ofK ⁺ production in the few-GeV range is analyzed.     

Cross section for the subthreshold fission of 236U

The cross section for ²³⁶U fission in the neutron-energy range E _n = 0.001–20 keV was measured by using the INR RAS (Institute of Nuclear Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow) LSDS-100 neutron spectrometer of the lead slowing-down spectrometer type. The resonance fission areas of the resonances at 5.45 eV and 1.28 keV were found, and the fission widths of these resonances were evaluated. The cross section for the ²³⁸U(n, f) fission process was measured, and the threshold sensitivity of the LSDS-100 to small values of fission cross sections was estimated. The well-known intermediate structure in the cross section for the neutron-induced subbarrier fission of ²³⁶U was confirmed.     

Population of the 236U shape isomer in a photonuclear reaction

A fission isomer with a half-life of 115 ± 5 ns and a yield ratio Y_iso/Y_prompt = (2.02 ± 0.16) × 10^?5 was observed in bremsstrahlung-induced fission of natural uranium. The isomer is ascribed to ²³⁶U populated via a ²³⁸U(γ, 2n) reaction. The integrated cross section for isomeric fission is determined to be σ_int = 32 ± 6 μb MeV. Comparing this value with a calculated total isomer production cross section, a branching ratio of the isomer decay of Γ^γ_II/Γ^f_II ≈ 6 can be deduced.     

Thed(7Li,p)8Li cross section nearE cm=0.61 MeV

The absolute cross sectionσ of thed(⁷Li,p)⁸Li reaction near theE _cm=0.61 MeV resonance has been measured using a⁷Li ion beam and a windowless gas target system filled with D₂ gas. The proton yield of the reaction and theβ-delayedα-activity of the residual nuclides⁸Li were observed both concurrently with the elastic scattering yield, relatingσ to the Rutherford scattering cross sectionσ _R. The resulting values,σ (fromp)=143.6±8.9 mb andσ (from⁸Li)=151±20 mb, lead to a weighted mean value ofσ=153±6 mb (x ²=2.26) including all available values andσ=146±5 mb (x ²=0.05) removing some values from the data set. The consequences for the expected flux of high-energy solar neutrinos are discussed.     

Statistical fluctuations and the double differential cross section for energy and angle in deep inelastic reactions

We use a model which accounts for dissipation and statistical fluctuations to compute the double differential cross sectiond ²σ/dθdE. The calculation is performed for the 388 MeV Ar + Th system. The typical experimental pattern of the cross section versus angle and energy is reproduced.     

Structure in the subthreshold 232Th(n,f) cross section

The fission cross section of ²³²Th has been measured over the neutron energy range 0.1 MeV to 30 MeV at the Livermore 100 MeV electron linac. The observed structure in the cross section between 0.7 MeV and 1.4 MeV, attributed to vibrational states in the second well of the double-humped fission barrier, is clearly correlated with the angular anisotropy of fission fragments measured by others.     

The scission neutron spectrum of252CF (SF)

The scission neutron spectrum was obtained as a difference between the integral experimental fission neutron spectrum evaluated by Mannhart based on measurements in the laboratory reference system from several authors in the different neutron energy ranges, and the laboratory fission neutron spectrum stemming only from those neutrons which are evaporated from the fully accelerated fission fragments. The scission neutron spectrum was represented by a Weisskopf evaporation spectrump _s(? _l )=P ₀/(T _s)²·?_l·exp(??_l/T_s). A least squares fit gave for the fraction of scission neutrons with respect to all fission neutrons a value ofp ₀=(0.011±0.003) and for the pseudo scission neutron temperature a value ofT _s=(0.20±0.03) MeV. The low pseudo temperature is compatible with a cold nuclear matter of the prescission configuration. The low energy of the scission neutrons indicates that they come from a slowly moving source. The width of the distribution suggests that the source is small: radius of about 5 fm. This information conforms with the idea of satellite droplets which are formed when the neck snaps.     

Spinaustauschstreuung von Kalium an Caesium

The differential spin exchange cross sectionI _ex(?, E) for the system K-Cs has been measured as a function of angle for 2°???40° and collision energy for 1.2 · 10^?13 erg ?E?2.1 · 10^?13erg. Confirming previous experiments it exhibits a maximum neargj≈10°. The angular position of maximum changes with collision energy. Increasing the energy lowers the maximum angle. The analysis of the cross section with regard to information about the interaction of the collision partners turns out to be very complicated. A first few model calculations are presented and discussed. The most obvious, qualitative relations between the singlet and triplet interaction potentials,V ₀ andV ₁, and the differential spin exchange cross sectionI _ex(?) appear to be: 1. The average magnitude ofI _ex is markedly different below and above the rainbow angle \(\vartheta _{R_1 }\) of the shallow triplet potential V₁. From the observed intensity drop towards large angles we estimate a lower bound for the triplet potential well depth? ₁?1.4 · 10^?14 erg. 2. The expected relation between the integral spin exchange cross sectionσ _ex and the difference potentialΔV(R)=V ₁-V ₀ at large distances is also borne out by the differential spin exchange cross section I_ex(?) below \(\vartheta _{R_1 }\) . Relative to the intensity beyond \(\vartheta _{R_1 }\) the cross section increases if range and strength ofΔV is increased.     

Analysis of scattering and reactions of aligned7Li-nuclei in a double folding model

Previously measured angular distributions of the differential cross section and the tensor analyzing powerT ₂₀ for the scattering of⁷Li from⁵¹V in the energy range from 10 to 18 MeV were analyzed with the double folding model using the effective nucleon-nucleon interaction M3Y as well as a zero range effective nucleon-nucleon interaction. Due to the spectroscopic deformation of the⁷Li-nucleus the interaction potential contains a central and aT _R -tensor part. The latter one is the origin of the observed tensor analyzing powers. Within the same model the scattering of aligned⁷Li-nuclei from⁵⁸Ni at 14.2 and 20.3 MeV is well described. The strength of theT _R -tensor potential in relation to the spectroscopic mass deformation of⁷Li is discussed. Using the real interaction potential obtained by the double folding model the energy dependence of the total reaction cross sectionσ ^r and its tensor analyzing powerT ₂₀ ^r for the system⁷Li?⁵¹V is well described within a barrier penetration model.     

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.