Charge Distribution Studies in the Epi-Cadmium Neutron-Induced Fission of ²⁴¹Pu

Abstract

For the first time, charge distribution studies have been carried out in the epi-cadmium neutron-induced fission of ²⁴¹Pu by measuring the fractional cumulative yields (FCYs) and independent yields of various fission products by using an off-line gamma-ray spectrometric technique. The average energy of the epi-cadmium neutron spectrum is 1.9 MeV. From the FCY values, the isobaric width parameter σ_Z, most probable charge Z_P, and charge polarization ∆Ζ_EXPT as a function of fragment mass were obtained. On the other hand, from the independent yield values, isotopic width parameter σ_A; the most probable mass A_P; and the elemental yields Y_Z of Sn, Sb, Te, I, Xe, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, and Pr were determined by using a nonlinear fit. From the Y_Z values, the proton even-odd effect δ_p was obtained for the first time. The present data were compared with similar data in the ²⁴¹Pu(n_th,f) reaction and epi-cadmium neutron-induced fission of ²⁴⁰Pu as well as other actinides to examine the role of the excitation energy and pairing effect.

Keywords:

• ²⁴¹Pu(n,f) reaction
• off-line gamma-ray spectrometry
• fractional cumulative yields of fission products
• independent yields of fission products
• isobaric and isotopic yield distribution parameters

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the staff of APSARA for their help in providing the neutron beam to carry out the experiment. We are also thankful to R. H. Iyer, BARC, for his keen interest and encouragement.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).