LXXXIV. The investigation of soft radiations from 239Pu and 233U with a proportional counter

Abstract

Soft electromagnetic radiations from ²³⁹Pu and ²³³U have been investigated with a proportional counter filled with krypton or xenon. ³⁹Pu emits the L x-radiation of uranium with an intensity of (4±1) × 10⁻² L x-rays per α particle. The L x-radiation arises as a result of the internal conversion of γ rays. Residual unconverted gamma rays with energies of 52.0 ± 0.3 kev and 38.5 ± 0.4 key are emitted. The intensities of these gamma rays are 7 × 10⁻⁵ and 2 × 10⁻⁵ quanta per α particle respectively. K x-rays are emitted with an intensity of about 2 × 10⁻⁵ quanta per α particle. A gamma radiation of energy equal to 45.0±0.3 key is ascribed to ²³⁸Pu or ²⁴⁰Pu. ²³³U emits the L x-radiation of thorium with an intensity of (4 ± 1) × 10⁻² L rays per α particle. Gamma radiations of energies 42.8:±0.3 kev and 56.1 ± 0.4 kev are present with intensities of 5 × 10⁻⁴ and 10⁻⁴ quanta per α particle respectively.