α-accompanied cold ternary fission ofPu238–244isotopes in equatorial and collinear configuration

Abstract

The cold ternary fission of $^{238}$Pu, $^{240}$Pu, $^{242}$Pu and $^{244}$Pu isotopes, with $^{4}$He as light charged particle, in equatorial and collinear configuration has been studied within the Unified ternary fission model (UTFM). The fragment combination $^{100}$Zr+$^{4}$He+$^{134}$Te possessing the near doubly magic nuclei $^{134}$Te (N=82, Z=52) gives the highest yield in the alpha accompanied ternary fission of $^{238}$Pu. For the alpha accompanied ternary fission of $^{240}$Pu, $^{242}$Pu and $^{244}$Pu isotopes, the highest yield was found for the fragment combination with doubly magic nuclei $^{132}$Sn (N=82, Z=50) as the heavier fragment. The deformation and orientation of fragments have also been taken into account for the alpha accompanied ternary fission of $^{238-244}$Pu isotopes, and it has been found that in addition to closed shell effect, ground state deformation also plays an important role in determining the isotopic yield in the ternary fission process. The emission probability and kinetic energy of long range alpha particles have been calculated and are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.