Total cross sections for fission of heavy nuclei by intermediate-energy protons

The results of measuring total cross sections for proton-induced fission of ^natPb, ²⁰⁹Bi, ²³²Th, ²³³U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U, ²³⁷Np, and ²³⁹Pu nuclei at proton energies from 200 to 1000 MeV are reported. The measurements were carried out in steps of ≈100 MeV. Complementary fission fragments were detected in coincidence by two parallel-plate avalanche gas counters placed in the beam line on both sides of the thin target close to it. Energy and isotope dependences of the fission cross sections are analyzed.     

Reaction and fission cross-sections of 750 A·MeV238U ions on Pb,Cu and Al-targets

Charge-loss and fission cross-sections of²³⁸U at 750 A·MeV were measured on Al, Cu and Pb targets. The charge-loss rate was obtained by the attenuation method. Fission was selected by detecting the pair of highly ionizing fragments. Since the neutron-loss cross sections were measured in a parallel experiment for the same projectiles, all cross sections contributing to²³⁸U collisions on nuclei are available now as function of the target mass number and can be compared with current models.     

Electrofission of238U and232Th

Absolute electrofission cross sections for²³⁸U and²³²Th in the energy regionE _e =7 ?65 MeV and fission fragment angular distributions forE _e =7–30 MeV have been measured. The angular distributions show strong anisotropies for low energies. The relative dipole and quadrupole contributions as a function of excitation energy are discussed in terms of the low lying fission transition states above the fission barriers. The cross sections show significant deviations from the results of some earlier measurements, in particular in the energy region above the giant dipole resonance. From the difficulties of absolute electrofission cross section measurements and the ambiguities in their interpretation it is concluded that by this time the quantitative analysis of electrofission cross sections with respect to the contributions of the giant quadrupole resonances to the fission decay channel should be regarded as rather tentative.     

The study of the (α, α′ f) reaction at 120 MeV on 232Th and 238U: (II). Fission barrier properties deduced from fission probabilities and angular distributions

The fission probabilities and angular distributions of the fission fragments for the (α, α'f) reaction on ²³²Th and ²³⁸U at a bombarding energy of 120 MeV have been measured from about 4 to 14 MeV excitation energy. Evidence for sub-barrier resonances has been found, the negativeparity ones occurring at the same excitation energy where photofission resonances have been observed. The data are analyzed with the two-humped barrier model. For ²³⁸U the data are reasonably well fitted with barriers similar to those known from the literature. For ²³²Th though, the outer barrier parameters are quite different: the height E_B = 6.6 MeV and the width (khω)_B = 1.2 MeV. Also for ²³²Th, introducing an additional mass symmetric and axially asymmetric outer barrier, as was previously found necessary for ²³⁸U, does not result in a good fit to the data at higher excitation energies.     

New approximation of the energy dependences of total cross sections for proton-induced fission of actinide nuclei

The energy dependences of the cross sections for the fission of ²³²Th to ²³⁹Pu nuclei that is induced by protons of energy in excess of 50 MeV are proposed to be approximated by the sum of two functions. Of these, the first decreases exponentially with increasing proton energy. It represents the contribution of two-step fission, which competes with particle evaporation. The second function decreases exponentially as the energy grows to about 200 MeV, whereupon it increases up to an energy of 1 or 2.5 GeV. After that, it again decreases for ²³²Th to ²³³U nuclei or remains nearly unchanged for ²³⁷Np and ²³⁹Pu nuclei. This function is likely to represent the sum of the contributions from three modes of single-stage fission.     

Giant resonance in the total photoabsorption cross section of Z ≈ 90 nuclei

Total photoabsorption cross sections of ²³²Th, ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U and ²³⁹Pu have been measured in the giant resonance region by the absorption method. Measured cross sections were approximated by two Lorentz lines. Lorentz line parameters, integrated cross sections, deformation parameters and quadrupole moments are given. The analysis of the nuclear optical anisotropy evolution with the increase of Z shows that Z ≈ 90 nuclei seem to be transitional, similar to N ≈ 90 nuclei. A comparison of experimental cross sections with dynamic collective model calculations has been performed. The evidence that quadrupole photoabsorption occurs in the 20–25 MeV energy region is also presented.     

Relative measurements of photofission cross sections with the use of a bremsstrahlung spectrum

This survey is devoted to the investigation of fission probability by measuring photofission yields using a bremsstrahlung spectrum of the microtron with the relative measurement method in the region of energies from the threshold to the upper boundary of the fissility plateau (E < 11 MeV). The results were obtained using a unique technique for nineteen nuclei from ²³²Th to ²⁴⁹Cf. For some nuclei in the threshold energy region, detailed measurements were performed which provided the possibility of observation of new resonances in the photofission cross section. The observed resonance effects are discussed. For ²³⁴U and ^{238, 240, 242}Pu, theoretical analysis was performed to obtain the fission barrier parameters for fission channels with particular quantum states. Data of other measurements of photofission cross sections are given, along with the results obtained in the surveyed series of measurements. The data obtained using the relative measurement method is compared with data for other reactions that result in fission of the nuclei under study.     

The study of the (α, α'f) reaction at 120 MeV on 232Th and 238U: (I). Fission probabilities and angular distributions in the region of the giant quadrupole resonances

The fission decay channel of ²³²Th and ²³⁸U has been investigated, using the (α, α'f) reaction at 120 MeV bombarding energy. The angular distributions of the fission fragments and the fission probabilities up to around 15 MeV excitation have been measured. No evidence for the fission decay of the giant quadrupole resonance has been found, although for ²³⁸U, a weakly excited structure is seen in the (α, α'f) spectrum at about 9.5 MeV excitation at backward angles with respect to the recoil axis. This effect is similar to what has been found in a (⁶Li, ⁶Li'f) experiment reported recently. The over-all feature of the fission probability for excitation energies above the fission barrier are well reproduced by statistical calculations.     

Mass distribution in the bremsstrahlung-induced fission of Th,U and Pu

The yields of various fission products in the 10 MeV bremsstrahlung-induced fission of ²³²Th, ²³⁸U and ²⁴⁰Pu were determined using a recoil catcher and off-line γ-ray spectrometric techniques. From the yield data, mass yield distributions were obtained using charge distribution corrections. The higher yields of fission products around mass numbers 133–135, 138–140, 143–145 and their complementary products in the neutron and bremsstrahlung-induced fission of ²³²Th, ²³⁸U and ²⁴⁰Pu were interpreted based on nuclear structure effects. From the mass yield distribution, the peak-to-valley (P/V$P/V$) ratio was also obtained for the above fissioning systems. The present data, along with data from the literature on different bremsstrahlung- and mono-energetic neutron-induced fissions of ²³²Th and ²³⁸U are interpreted to examine the influence of excitation energy on the peak to valley ratio. For the same compound nucleus ²⁴⁰Pu^?, the data in the 10–30 MeV bremsstrahlung-induced fission of ²⁴⁰Pu were compared with similar data of thermal to 14 MeV neutron-induced fission of ²³⁹Pu and the spontaneous fission of ²⁴⁰Pu to examine the role of excitation energy due to bremsstrahlung radiation and mono-energetic neutrons.     

Experimental observation of a two-phase state of expanding nuclear matter at E p=1 GeV

A double-arm time-of-flight spectrometer was used to study the thermal multifragmentation of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ¹⁹⁷Au nuclei that is induced by 1-GeV protons. It is established that the pseudoevaporation channel, where a single heavy fragment of mean mass in the range 80–90 amu is produced in association with approximately ten smaller clusters (〈M〉=7–10 amu) emitted anisotropically at low velocities, is dominant at this energy. The pseudoevaporation cross sections change from 10±5 mb for ¹⁹⁷Au to ¹²⁰±40 μb for ²³⁸U. For ²³⁸U and ²³²Th, it is found that, in the region M<8 amu, the power law is violated, which is explained by the decay of part of small primary clusters in the course nucleon exchange through the “gas” phase within the expanding nucleus. __________ Translated from Yadernaya Fizika, Vol. 64, No. 8, 2001, pp. 1541–1550. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2001 by Chestnov, Sokolovsky.     

Symmetric and asymmetric fission modes in proton-induced fission at 660 MeV of <Superscript>238</Superscript>U

Fission product cross sections of intermediate-energy fission of ²³⁸U were used in order to construct the charge and mass yield distributions. Enriched target of ²³⁸U was irradiated by proton beam with energy 660 MeV for several hours at the LNP Phasotron, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia. The charge distribution of the fission fragments was analyzed for calculation of isobaric cross sections. The mass yield curves were expanded into symmetric and asymmetric components according multimodal fission approach. The fissility values of actinides were calculated at given proton energy. The obtained results have been compared to the same data for targets ²³⁷Np and ²⁴¹Am.     

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.     

Fission barriers from electromagnetic fission of 430 ·A MeV radioactive ion beams

For isotopically separated secondary beams of neutron-deficient nuclei delivered by the SIS-FRS facility at the GSI, electromagnetic fission-in-flight induced at 430 · A MeV in a secondary lead target was observed. Electromagnetic fission cross sections were measured for ^232,233,234U, ²³²Pa, ^220,221,222Th, ^218,…,222Ac and ^{215,217,218,219}Ra. By using a simple analysis, fission barrier were derived from the electromagnetic fission cross sections. For the U- and Pa-isotopes, these barriers agree with those measured previously by other methods. The new barriers for Th- and Ac-isotopes are smaller than predicted theoretically.     

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.     

Photofission cross sections of 232Th and 236U from threshold to 8 MeV

Measurements of the photofission cross sections of ²³²Th and ²³⁶U for an energy range of 5.0 to 8.0 MeV are reported. The Compton scattering facility at the Ames Laboratory Research Reactor was used for these measurements. Resonance structure at γ-ray energies of 6.3 and 7.6 MeV is observed in ²³²Th and at 5.3, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.5 MeV in ²³⁶U. The present results are compared with other photofission experiments and particle-induced fission studies. Suggestions for the interpretation of the resonances are given on the basis of Bohr's fission-channel theory and the existence of a double-humped fission barrier.     

Photofission of 238Pu, 240Pu, and 242Pu in the energy range 5–10 MeV

The cross sections for the photofission of plutonium isotopes ²³⁸Pu, ²⁴⁰Pu, and ²⁴²Pu in the energy range 5–10 MeV have been measured by using a beam of bremsstrahlung photons from the microtron installed at the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (Obninsk). The energy regions below the fission barrier and above 6 MeV have been scanned with pitches of 0.05 and 0.1 MeV, respectively. In deriving the absolute cross section for ²³⁸Pu photofission, ²³⁸U photofission has been employed as a reference reaction. In measurements involving ²⁴⁰Pu and ²⁴²Pu nuclei, the neptunium isotope ²³⁷Np, which is characterized by a more regular dependence of the photofission cross section on excitation energy than ²³⁸U, has been chosen for the first time as a reference nucleus. The measured cross sections as functions of energy show resonance structures in the vicinity of the fission threshold that are consistent with those previously observed in the energy dependences of fissilities for corresponding direct reactions. The partial-wave cross sections for the J ^π K = 1^?0, 1^?1, and 2⁺0 photofission channels have been determined as functions of energy. At energies below some 5.5 MeV, the total cross section for photofission of each plutonium isotope being studied receives a significant contribution from quadrupole interaction. Within the one-dimensional model of a two-humped fission barrier, the parameters of the barriers for ²³⁸Pu, ²⁴⁰Pu, and ²⁴²Pu have been extracted from data and have then been compared with estimates based on previous measurements.     

Light charged particle emission and fission in238U+238U collisions at 1,740 MeV

Inclusive⁴He and⁴H energy spectra and heavy fragment coincidence correlations have been measured for reactions of 7.31 MeV/u²³⁸U with²³⁸U and^?197Au targets. The H/He production cross sections are in the range 15–26 mb, and their emission spectra are very similar for the two systems. The observed strong kinematic shifts with angle are reproduced in shape and magnitude by Monte Carlo simulations of particle evaporation from projectile-like and target-like fragments, indicating competition between charged particle emission and sequential fission. No evidence is found for high energy charged particle emission associated with ultra-highZ composite systems. Heavy fragment measurements indicate an abundance of quasielastic and deeply inelastic reaction fragments, as well as sequential fission of target and projectile nuclei. For²³⁸U nuclei, the fission occurs predominantly in an asymmetric mode, reminiscent of fission at low excitation energy. For²³⁸+²³⁸U reactions in the vicinity of the grazing angle, the frequency of single sequential fission (with survival of the partner fragment) is twice as large as double sequential fission in which both the target and projectile undergo fission. In²³⁸U+¹⁹⁷Au reactions, the survival probability of the heavy fragments is even greater. The surprisingly high survival probabilities of high-Z fragments imply a preponderance of very soft collisions in these very-heavy-ion reactions, at least at energies not very far over the Coulomb barrier.     

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.     

A general framework for describing photofission observables of actinides at an average excitation energy below 30 MeV

A reasonable prediction of photofission observables plays a paramount role in understanding the photofission process and guiding various photofission-induced applications, such as short-lived isotope production, nuclear waste disposal, and nuclear safeguards. However, the available experimental data for photofission observables are limited, and the existing models and programs have mainly been developed for neutron-induced fission processes. In this study, a general framework is proposed for characterizing the photofission observables of actinides, including the mass yield distributions (MYD) and isobaric charge distributions (ICD) of fission fragments and the multiplicity and energy distributions of prompt neutrons (n_p) and prompt γ rays (γ_p). The framework encompasses various systematic neutron models and empirical models considering the Bohr hypothesis and does not rely on the experimental data as input. These models are then validated individually against experimental data at an average excitation energy below 30 MeV, which shows the reliability and robustness of the general framework. Finally, we employ this framework to predict the characteristics of photofission fragments and the emissions of prompt particles for typical actinides including ²³²Th, ^{235, 238}U and ²⁴⁰Pu. It is found that the ²³⁸U(γ, f) reaction is more suitable for producing neutron-rich nuclei compared to the ²³²Th(γ, f) reaction. In addition, the average multiplicity number of both n_p and γ_p increases with the average excitation energy.