Nuclear Charge Distribution in the Fission of Uranium and Thorium with 13.6-Mev Deuterons

Abstract

Measurements have been made of independent fission yields and valley-to-peak ratios in 13.6-Mev deuteron fission and fast-neutron fission of ${\mathrm{U}}^{238}$ and ${\mathrm{Th}}^{232}$. From these measurements the conclusion is drawn that deuteron capture precedes a large fraction of the deuteron-induced fission events. The primary distribution of yields along a mass chain can be adequately explained by the postulate of equal charge displacement with the same distribution curve found applicable in low-energy neutron fission, best results requiring a slightly greater tendency for neutron emission in the heavy fragments.