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U.S. Department of Energy
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FISSION YIELDS IN NEUTRON FISSION OF Pu$sup 23$$sup 9$

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4328517
Some fission yield data pertinent to solution of radiological problems resulting from nuclear weapons detonations have been obtained. The portion of the Pu/supo 239/ fission yield curve which includes the heavier mass numbers has not been clearly defined by radiochemical measurements. The radionuclides produced in this mass region fall in the rare earth group and until recent years adequate separation procedures were not available for all cases of interest. Rare earth fission yield data for Pu/sup 239/ were previously reported only for masses 144, 153, and 156. Mass spectrometric measurements of yields are difficult in this region due to frequent high neutron cross sections. Information on the more accurate defsnition of the Pu/sup 239/ fission yield curve in the heavy mass region is presented. Radiochemical studies, utilizing ion exchange chromatography, of the "pile" neutron fission of Pu/sup 239/ were made. Chain yields were measured relative to Mo for masses with U/sup 235/, the Pu/sup 239/ yields show increases of a few percent to a factor of more than 20 in the heavier rare earth products. (auth)
Research Organization:
Naval Radiological Defense Lab., San Francisco
NSA Number:
NSA-13-001189
OSTI ID:
4328517
Report Number(s):
USNRDL-TR-268
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English