Investigation of the reaction <Superscript>208</Superscript>Pb(<Superscript>18</Superscript>O, <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>): Folding angular distributions of fission fragments and gamma-ray multiplicity

Correlations between folding angular distributions of fission fragments and the gamma-ray multiplicity are studied for ¹⁸O + ²⁰⁸Pb interactions at energies of the beam of ¹⁸O ions in the range E _lab = 78–198.5 MeV. The probabilities are determined for complete-and incomplete-fusion processes inevitably followed by the fission of nuclei formed in these processes. It is found that the probability of incomplete fusion followed by fission increases with increasing energy of bombarding ions. It is shown that, for the incomplete-fusion process, folding angular distributions of fission fragments have a two-component structure. The width of folding angular distributions (FWHM) for complete fusion grows linearly with increasing energy of ¹⁸O ions. The multiplicity of gamma rays from fission fragments as a function of the linear-momentum transfer behaves differently for different energies of projectile ions. This circumstance is explained here by the distinction between the average angular momenta of participant nuclei in the fusion and fission channels, which is due to the difference in the probabilities of fission in the cases where different numbers of nucleons are captured by the target nucleus.     

Characteristics of spontaneous fission of <Superscript>250</Superscript>No

This study describes an experiment on investigating the properties of spontaneous fission of shortlived neutron-deficient nuclei synthesized in the reaction of complete fusion ⁴⁸Ca + ²⁰⁴Pb = ²⁵²No*. The experiment is performed using the SHELS separator and the beam of multicharged ions at U-400 accelerator (LNR, JINR). Two activities undergoing spontaneous fission, which can be related to the ground and isomeric states of ²⁵⁰No nucleus, are registered. The half-lives, total kinetic energies of fission fragments, and neutron multiplicities are measured for the short-lived nuclei. The average number of neutrons per fission for the activity with t _1/2 = 5.1 ± 0.3 μs is = 4.38 ± 0.13 μs, and for nuclei with the half-life t _1/2 = 36 ± 3 μs it is xxxxx.     

Search for the emission of π<Superscript>0</Superscript> mesons from the neutron-induced fission of <Superscript>235</Superscript>U nuclei

A nuclear-reactor experiment on the search for the emission of neutral pions from the neutron-induced fission of ²³⁵U nuclei has been carried out. To this end, an experimental setup for searching for the emission of π⁰ mesons with high sensitivity to this process has been designed and produced. This setup consisted of two Cherenkov total-absorption spectrometers for the detection and measurements of the energy of two gamma-ray photons from π ⁰-meson decay. The spectrometers were placed at the exits of two coaxial horizontal experimental channels. To protect the detectors from low-energy β and γ rays and neutron fluxes, 3.5-m-long water filters were situated in the channels. To reject the cosmic background, large-area scintillation counters operating in the anticoincidence mode were placed over each spectrometer. The energy and time resolution of the spectrometers, as well as the efficiency of detecting charged particles by scintillation counters, were tested on the secondary electron beam of the Tomsk electron synchrotron Sirius. Runs of measurements of the effect on the operating reactor (duration of 805 h) were alternated with runs of measurements of background on the stopped reactor (duration of 403 h). Statistical processing of the experimental results yields an upper limit of ≤5.3×10 ^?12 with a 90% confidence level for the probability of the emission of neutral pions from the neutron-induced fission of ²³⁵U nuclei. This result and results of other works carried out with sources of spontaneously fissioning ²⁵²Cf nuclei show that the probabilities of the emission of π⁰ mesons from spontaneous fission and fission induced by fission-spectrum neutrons are equal to each other.     

Frequency measurements in the b <Superscript>3</Superscript>Π(0<Subscript>u</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript>) - X <Superscript>1</Superscript>Σ<Subscript>g</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript> system of K<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Absolute transition frequencies of the b ³Π(0_u ⁺) - X ¹Σ_g ⁺ system of K₂ were measured in a molecular beam with Lamb dip absorption spectroscopy applying a frequency comb from a femtosecond pulsed laser. Both, K atoms and K₂ molecules are present in the beam and are expected to interact by collisions. The atoms can be deflected optically out of the beam, and thus the collision rate between K atoms and K₂ molecules is changed by about an order of magnitude. The molecular transition frequencies for low collisional rate are compared with those for high one. Limits for the collisional frequency shift within the beam are determined.     

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.     

Investigation of Ternary Fission of <Stack><Subscript>98</Subscript><Superscript>252</Superscript></Stack>Cf Using Three-Cluster and Unified Ternary Fission Models

Using three-cluster and unified ternary fission models, the ternary fission of ₉₈²⁵²Cf is studied. We applied collinear and equatorial configurations to study the ternary fission of ₉₈²⁵²Cf when the third fragment is ₃¹⁰Li. The nuclear potential energy in the three-cluster model and unified ternary fission model is calculated respectively, using Yukawa plus exponential and proximity formalisms. The relative yields of different fragmentation channels are calculated. Our results reveal that the ternary fragmentation potential of the three fragments and the relative yields depend on the configuration of three fragments and usedmodel. Two models predict that the lowest driving potential and highest relative yield take place for the fragment combination ₅₁¹³²Sb + ₄₄¹¹⁰Ru + ₃¹⁰Li. Also, the values of driving potential and relative yield are not equal in the three-clustermodel and unified ternary fission model. For fragment combination ₅₁¹³²Sb + ₄₄¹¹⁰Ru + ₃¹⁰Li, the relative yield based on the three-cluster model in collinear configuration is maximum, whereas the unified ternary fission model in equatorial configuration predicts the lowest relative yield.     

Proton induced fission of <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th at intermediate energies

The mass-energy distributions and cross sections of proton-induced fission of ²³²Th have been measured at the proton energies of 7, 10, 13, 20, 40, and 55 MeV. Experiments were carried out at the proton beam of the K-130 cyclotron of the JYFL Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä and U-150m cyclotron of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The yields of fission fragments in the mass range A = 60–170 a.m.u. have been measured up to the level of 10?4%. The three humped shape of the mass distribution up has been observed at higher proton energies. The contribution of the symmetric component grows up with increasing proton incident energy; although even at 55 MeV of proton energy the shoulders in the mass energy distribution clearly indicate the asymmetric fission peaks. Evolution of shell structure was observed in the fission fragment mass distributions even at high excitation energy.     

Measurement of delayed-neutron yield from <Superscript>237</Superscript>Np fission induced by thermal neutrons

The delayed-neutron yield from thermal-neutron-induced fission of the ²³⁷Np nucleus was measured using a sample periodically exposed to a pulsed neutron beam with subsequent detection of neutrons during the time intervals between pulses. The experiment was realized on an Isomer-M setup mounted in the IBR-2 pulsed reactor channel equipped with a mirror neutron guide. The setup and the experimental procedure are described, the background sources are thoroughly analyzed, and the experimental data are presented. The total delayed-neutron yield from ²³⁷Np fission induced by thermal neutrons is ν _d = 0.0110 ± 0.0009. This study was performed at the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (JINR, Dubna).     

New approximations to the energy dependences of the total cross sections for the proton-induced fission of <Superscript>197</Superscript>Au, <Superscript>203</Superscript>Tl, <Superscript>nat</Superscript>Pb,and <Superscript>209</Superscript>Bi nuclei

The total cross sections for ¹⁹⁷Au and ²⁰³Tl fission induced by protons of energy varied from about 200 to 1000 MeV with a step of about 100 MeV are measured. New approximations to the energy dependences of the cross sections for the proton-induced fission of ¹⁹⁷Au, ²⁰³Tl, natPb, and ²⁰⁹Bi nuclei are presented and discussed. For all of these nuclei, exponential functions are used as approximations.     

Mass distribution studies in the <Superscript>19</Superscript>F + <Superscript>197</Superscript>Au reaction

Mass distribution and evaporation residue measurements have been carried out in the reaction ¹⁹F + ¹⁹⁷Au using the recoil catcher technique followed by off-line γ-ray spectrometry. The random neck rupture model (RNRM) has been used to compute the variance of the mass distribution ( σ²_A) and the average kinetic energy ( ˉ) of the fission fragments for the present system. The results of model calculations have been found to be in good agreement with the experimental observations. Measured evaporation residue cross-sections have been compared with the statistical model calculations.     

Charge distribution studies in the fast-neutron-induced fission of <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th, <Superscript>238</Superscript>U, <Superscript>240</Superscript>Pu and <Superscript>244</Superscript>Cm

Charge distribution studies for heavy-mass fission products were carried out in the fast-neutron-induced fission of ²³²Th, ²³⁸U, ²⁴⁰Pu and ²⁴⁴Cm using radiochemical and gamma-ray spectrometric techniques. The width parameter( σ_Z/σ_A), the most probable charge/mass ( Z _P/A _P), the charge polarization (ΔZ) and the slope of charge polarization [ δ(ΔZ)/δA ^′] as a function of the fragment mass (A ^′) were deduced. The average charge dispersion parameter ( 〈σ_Z〉) and proton odd-even effect ( δ_p) were also obtained for these fissioning systems. The 〈σ_Z〉 and δ_p values in the fissioning systems ²⁴¹Pu ^* and ²⁴⁵Cm ^* were determined for the first time. The δ(ΔZ)/δA ^′ value is also determined for the first time in the fissioning systems ²³⁹U ^* , ²⁴¹Pu ^* and ²⁴⁵Cm ^* . These data along with the literature data for even-Z fissioning systems such as ²³⁰Th ^* , ²³²Th ^* , ²³³U ^* , ²³⁴U ^* , ²³⁶U ^* , ²³⁸U ^* , ²³⁹Pu ^* , ²⁴⁰Pu*, ²⁴²Pu ^* , ²⁴⁶Cm ^* , ²⁵⁰Cf ^* and ²⁵²Cf(SF) are discussed in terms of nuclear structure effect and dynamics of descent from the saddle to the scission point. The role of the excitation energy in low-energy fission is also discussed. Received: 26 July 2002 / Accepted: 3 December 2002 / Published online: 3 April 2003 RID="a" ID="a"Present address: Emeritus Scientist (CSIR) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Nuclear Recycle Group, WIP Building, Trombay, Mumbai-400085, India; e-mail: rhiyer@magnum. barc.ernet.in Communicated by D. Schwalm     

Ternary fission fragmentation of <Superscript>252</Superscript>Cf for all possible third fragments

The ternary fragmentation of ²⁵²Cf for all possible third fragments has been investigated using the recently proposed three-cluster model within a spherical approximation and satisfying the condition A ₁ 3 \geq A ₂ 3 \geq A ₃ . The most probable ternary configurations in the fission of ²⁵²Cf accompanied with all possible third fragment mass numbers from A ₃ = 1 to 84 are predicted and their independent and overall relative yields are calculated. The calculations of the properly charge minimized potential energy surface (PES) and yield reveal that even-mass third fragments are more favored than odd ones. In the most probable configuration having the minimum in the potential energy and the maximum in yield, among the three fragments, at least one (or two) of the fragment(s) associates itself with the neutron (or proton) closed shell and in some cases even with the doubly closed shell. The calculated relative yields imply that next to ¹⁴C (the heaviest third fragment observed in the spontaneous ternary fission of ²⁵²Cf , ^{34, 36, 38}Si , ^{46, 48}Ar , and ^{48, 50}Ca are presenting themselves as the most favoured cases to be observed as the third particle in the spontaneous ternary fission of ²⁵²Cf .     

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).     

The pp→K<Superscript>+</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Σ</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript>n cross-section from missing-mass spectra

We utilize existing inclusive data on K⁺-meson momentum spectra of the reaction pp→K ⁺ X at T _p = 2.3-2.85GeV to deduce total cross-sections for pp→K ⁺ Σ ⁺ n. The method used to extract those cross-sections is explained and discussed in detail. Our result for T _p = 2.85GeV is consistent with the data point from a direct measurement at the same beam energy. The cross-section obtained for T _p = 2.3GeV is with 13.7±2.3μb considerably smaller than the value found in a recent experiment by the COSY-11 Collaboration at a somewhat lower beam energy, indicating that the pp→K ⁺ Σ ⁺ n reaction cross-section could exhibit a rather unusual energy dependence.     

Mean energies of prompt fission neutrons in the neutron-induced fission of <Superscript>235</Superscript>U at primary energies in the range <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis><Subscript>n</Subscript> < 20 MeV

The spectra of neutrons accompanying the induced fission of ²³⁵U target nuclei are described theoretically. It is confirmed that a third neutron source must be introduced in order to reproduce the shape of experimental distributions at high energies of primary neutrons (previously, a third source was used in describing the spectra of neutrons emitted in ²³²Th and ²³⁸U fission). On the basis of experimental results and their analysis, the mean energy of fission neutrons is estimated as a function of the bombarding-neutron energy up to E _n = 20 MeV.     

Dynamical decay process of <Superscript>219, 220</Superscript>Ra<Superscript>*</Superscript> formed in <Superscript>10, 11</Superscript>B + <Superscript>209</Superscript>Bi reactions

The excitation functions for both the evaporation residue and fission have been calculated for ¹⁰B + ²⁰⁹Bi and ¹¹B + ²⁰⁹Bi reactions forming compound systems ^{219, 220}Ra^* , using the dynamical cluster-decay model (DCM) with effects of deformations and orientations of the nuclei included in it. In addition to this, the excitation functions for complete fusion (CF) are obtained by summing the fission cross-sections, neutron evaporation and charged particle evaporation residue cross-sections produced through the axn\ensuremath \alpha xn and pxn\ensuremath pxn (x = 2, 3, 4) emission channels for the ²¹⁹Ra system at various incident centre-of-mass energies. Experimentally the CF cross-sections are suppressed and the observed suppression is attributed to the low binding energy of ^{10, 11}B which breaks up into charged fragments. The reported complete fusion (CF) and incomplete fusion (ICF) excitation functions for the ²¹⁹Ra system are found to be nicely fitted by the calculations performed in the framework of DCM, without invoking a significant contribution from quasi-fission. Although DCM has been applied for a number of compound nucleus decay studies in the recent past, the same is being used here in reference to ICF and subsequent decay processes along with the CF process. Interestingly the main contribution to complete fusion cross-section comes from the fission cross-section at higher incident energies, which in DCM is found to consist of an asymmetric fission window, shown to arise due to the deformation and orientation effects of formation and decay fragments.     

Spontaneous fission of <Superscript>256</Superscript>Rf,new data

Spontaneous fission properties of the short-lived neutron-deficient ²⁵⁶Rf nucleus produced in the complete fusion reaction with a beam of multiply charged heavy ⁵⁰Ti ions from the U-400 cyclotron (FLNR, JINR) are experimentally investigated. Its half-life and decay branching ratio are measured. The average number of neutrons per spontaneous fission of ²⁵⁶Rf (\(\bar v = \;4.47 \pm \;0.09\)) is determined for the first time.     

Microscopic analysis of the fission barriers in <Superscript>256</Superscript>Fm and <Superscript>258</Superscript>Fm

The fission barriers of ²⁵⁶Fm and ²⁵⁸Fm have been analyzed in the HFB theory. The potential energy and the effective inertia parameter have been calculated in the two-dimensional deformation space of quadrupole and octupole moments. Fission paths for various octupole moments of the exit point from the fission barrier have been determined. The half-life along each path has been calculated. The shortest half-lives have been obtained for the paths with reflection symmetric shapes of nuclei in both the considered isotopes.     

Evidence for a K<Superscript>π</Superscript> = 1/2<Superscript>+</Superscript> isomer in neutron-rich <Superscript>185</Superscript>Ta

In this paper we present for the first time the measured delayed neutron (DN) yields and time spectra from high-energy protons interacting with thick ^natPb targets. The 1GeV protons from the accelerator impinged on targets of different thicknesses producing a huge number of spallation-fission products, some of which can be DN precursors. After the beam is switched off, the DNs were detected with optimized ³He counter. The production yields of light DN precursors as ¹⁷N and “usual” fission products as ⁸⁷Br and ⁸⁸Br, which dominate the total DN activity, are obtained both for thin and thick targets. These new data are of great interest for the new generation high-power spallation targets based on liquid-metal technologies. Our findings also should help to constrain the physics models within the simulations codes.     

Prompt-fission-neutrons spectra of <Superscript>238</Superscript>U

The spectra of prompt fission neutrons from the reaction ²³⁸U(n, F) for neutrons of energy in the range E _n ≤ 20 MeV are interpreted within the statistical model. It is shown that exclusive spectra of prefission neutrons emitted in (n, xnf) reactions play a decisive role in describing the observed promptfission-neutron spectra and determine the average energies of prompt-fission neutrons. The dependence of the effect of prefission neutrons on the fissility of a target nucleus is demonstrated for the reactions ²³²Th(n, F), ²³⁵U(n, F), and ²³⁹Pu(n, F).