Energy-Partition Parameters in Radiation Studies Involving Rare Gases

Abstract

Ion yields observed during plutonium alpha irradiation of binary mixtures containing at least one rare gas are reported. An attempt has been made to analyze them in terms of the modes of initial energy deposition. In order to do so, it was necessary to take account of ``negative Jesse effects,'' tentatively ascribed to the quenching of chemi‐ionization mechanisms (the so‐called Hornbeck—Molnar reactions) occurring in the rare gases. Energy‐partition parameters, obtained in this fashion and earlier, are qualitatively justified by semiempirical calculations.