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Origin of protons in Californium-252 fission

Journal Article · · Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7106347

Protons from /sup 252/Cf fission have been studied to determine their origin by using a ..delta..E, E detector particle telescope. Both fission- and nonfission-related events are discussed as possible sources of the observed proton energy spectrum. The increased yield of low-energy protons, which peak at approximately 3.2 MeV, seems to be due mainly to background (..cap alpha..,p) reactions. Evidence of polar proton emission is discussed and gives an estimated polar proton emission yield of 2.83 +- 0.18 x 10/sup -5/ per fission, with a most probable energy of 10.0 +- 0.2 MeV and full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 7.6 +- 0.2 MeV. The yield of tripartition fission-related protons was then estimated to be 3.50 +- 0.20 x 10/sup -5/ per fission, with a most probable energy of 6.6 +- 0.2 MeV and an FWHM of 7.0 +- 0.2 MeV.

Research Organization:
Arizona State Univ., Tempe
OSTI ID:
7106347
Journal Information:
Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 63:1; ISSN NSENA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English