Experimental investigation on the possible complexity in the potential energy surface of232Th

The reaction²³²Th(γ,f) is studied using bremsstrahlungγ-beams in the (5.45–6.85) MeV end point energy range. Fragments angular distributions are measured and yield components with opposite parities are separated. The unfolded cross sections have resonant behaviour which indicates the existence of low damped vibrational states. Furthermore, a near degeneracy forK ^π =0⁺ andK ^π = 0^? resonances at ～5.5 MeV and ～6 MeV is observed. Data are analysed in terms of a double humped barrier configuration within the doorway state model for fission. For each component maxima with almost equal heights and a shallow intermediate minimum are determined. Moreover almost equal potential barriers withK=0 and opposite parities are found. This is a signature for mass-asymmetric shapes and seems a clear indication for a threehumped barrier configuration with a low inner maximum and a third mass asymmetric shallow minimum due to the fragmentation of the normal mass-asymmetric second maximum.