W. Günther

Population of the 236U shape isomer in a photonuclear reaction

Abstract A fission isomer with a half-life of 115 ± 5 ns and a yield ratio Y iso / Y prompt = (2.02 ± 0.16) × 10 −5 was observed in bremsstrahlung-induced fission of natural uranium. The isomer is ascribed to 236 U populated via a 238 U(γ, 2n) reaction. The integrated cross section for isomeric fission is determined to be σ int = 32 ± 6 μb MeV. Comparing this value with a calculated total isomer production cross section, a branching ratio of the isomer decay of Γ γ II / Γ f II ≈ 6 can be deduced.

Applicability of a simple parallel plate avalanche detector to photofission experiments

A simple parallel plate avalanche detector (PPAD) has been tested for its applicability to photofission experiments at intense bremsstrahlung beams. Performance tests with a 252Cf spontaneous fission source showed a good time resolution (≈ 500 ps) and discrimination between α-particles and fission fragments. An investigation of the 236U fission isomer via the 238U(γ, 2n) reaction at the bremsstrahlung beam of the 65 MeV Giessen linac demonstrates the advantages of the PPAD. The results [T12 = 118 ± 7 ns] excellently agree with previous data obtained with semiconductor detectord. The time of data collection can be reduced by one order of magnitude.

Symmetric and asymmetric yields in the photofission of232Th,235U,238U and239Pu

Measurements are presented for the mass and energy distributions of fragments from the photofission of232Th,235U,238U and239Pu. The experiments were performed for bremsstrahlung endpoint energies between 15 and 55 MeV, using silicon surface barrier detectors. The results are discussed with respect to the competition between the symmetric and asymmetric fission modes.

Search for a γ-decay of the 236U shape isomer☆

A pulsed beam experiment has been carried out to search for a γ-decay of the 236U shape isomer. In the 238U(γ, 2nγ) reaction no shape isomeric γ-transition has been detected. From the experiments an upper limit (Γγ/Γf)II, max < 1.5 for the branching ratio for a single high energy γ-transition (Eγ = 2−2.5 MeV) has been derived. It is concluded that an important part of the shape isomeric γ-decay strength of 236U has to be attributed to low energy γ-transitions with Eγ ≦ 1 MeV.

Systematics of photonuclear yields and cross sections for plutonium and uranium fission isomers

Abstract Half-lives and yields in photonuclear reactions have been measured for shape isomers in U and Pu isotopes by pulsed-beam techniques bombarding 235,238 U and 239,240,242 Pu targets with brems-strahlung. Isomeric fission cross sections have been deduced from the measured isomeric to prompt yield ratios within an evaporation model using absolute prompt fission data. The results are compared with data from particle-induced reactions.

The preparation of large area uranium target layers for a multiple parallel plate fission detector

Abstract The preparation of large area uranium layers (diameter 65 mm) with a thickness of 2–3 mg/cm 2 by electrolysis on Al foils is described. The layers are used in a multiple parallel plate avalanche detector with 30 counter gaps for photofission experiments. The performances and applications of this detector set-up are discussed.

Yield ratio for the two 241Pu fission isomers in the 242(γ, n) reaction☆

Abstract The half-lives and yield ratios for the two 241 Pu fission isomers have been measured in the 242 Pu(γ, n) reaction. The observed half-life for the long-lived isomer (T 1 2 = 20.5 ± 2.2 μs) is in agreement with previous data, and the existence of a short-lived 34 ± 7 ns isomer in 241 Pu could be confirmed. The measured yield ratios are Y iso / Y pr = (9.2 ± 0.8) × 10 −5 and Y iso / Y pr = (3.7 ± 0.7) × 10 −5 , respectively. From a statistical model analysis of the isomeric fission yield ratio, Y long iso / Y short iso = 2.5 ± 0.6, a spin assignment for the two isomers is attempted. Possible spin combinations are compared with single-particle shell-model calculations and with available spectroscopic data for the other even-odd Pu isotopes.

Systematic trends in the analysis of photonuclear cross section ratios

AbstractIsomeric cross section ratios were measured for the photonuclear reactions100Mo(γ,n)

Photonuclear yields of the /sup 237/Pu fission isomers

{}^{99m_1 ,m_2 ,g}Mo