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High energy [gamma] rays from [sup 252]Cf spontaneous fission

Journal Article · · Physical Review, C (Nuclear Physics); (United States)
; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794 (United States)

The spontaneous fission decay of [sup 252]Cf has been analyzed in a statistical model with emphasis on describing recently reported high energy [gamma]-ray spectra. An enhanced [gamma] emission in the range from 3 to 10 MeV which is observed for nearly symmetric mass splits is readily understood as a result of the different fragment excitation energies. The model includes a viscous motion to the scission point with the possibility of prescission [gamma] emission. It was found that even with saddle-to-scission times of [tau][sub sc][lt]66[times]10[sup [minus]19] s, the maximum consistent with prescission neutron multiplicities, prescission [gamma] rays are overwhelmed by fragment [gamma] rays. Thus, the recently reported strong angular anisotropy of [gamma] rays in the range [ital E][sub [gamma]]=8--12 MeV is unexplained within the present understanding of the fission process.

OSTI ID:
7059491
Journal Information:
Physical Review, C (Nuclear Physics); (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, C (Nuclear Physics); (United States) Vol. 47:3; ISSN 0556-2813; ISSN PRVCAN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English