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SPALLATION-FISSION COMPETITION FROM THE COMPOUND SYSTEM U$sup 233$ PLUS He$sup 4$ (thesis)

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4311593
The results of a series of experiments to study the competition between spallation and fission in the reactions induced in U/sup 233/ with He ions of energies between 20 amd 46 Mev are given. The striking features of the excitation functions are the lowness of the ( alpha ,xn) cross sections compared with cross sections for the same reactions in other very heavy elements and the prominence of the ( alpha ,pxn) reactions. The results are interpreted in terms of reaction mechanisms involving either the formation of a compound nucleus or direct interactions between the projectile and the nucleons in the surface of the nucleus. Fission competes morc successfully against the compound nucleus spallation reactions in the reactions of U/sup 233/ than in those of other very heavy elements, in general, the products of the direct interaction reactions are able to survive fission equally well for all targets. A partial explanation for the relative fissionability of U/sup 233/ and Pu/sup 239/ is given in terms of the neutron binding energies of the products. A model for the compound nucleus reactions, based on a model by Jackson, is presented and it is shown thnt cross sections calculated on the basis of this model are in approximate agreement with the experimental values. Possible mechanisms for the direct interaction reactions are discussed. The identlfication and decay properties of the new isotope, Pu/sup 233/, are described. (auth)
Research Organization:
California. Univ., Berkeley. Radiation Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
NSA Number:
NSA-12-005684
OSTI ID:
4311593
Report Number(s):
UCRL-3791
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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