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

Journal Article · · Physics of Atomic Nuclei

The energy dependences of the cross sections for the fission of {sup 232}Th to {sup 239}Pu 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 {sup 232}Th to {sup 233}U nuclei or remains nearly unchanged for {sup 237}Np and {sup 239}Pu nuclei. This function is likely to represent the sum of the contributions from three modes of single-stage fission.

OSTI ID:
21404673
Journal Information:
Physics of Atomic Nuclei, Journal Name: Physics of Atomic Nuclei Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 71; ISSN 1063-7788; ISSN PANUEO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English