Distribution of fission yields in the 14·8 MeV neutron-induced fission of 238U

Abstract

The mass yield distribution for the 14·8 MeV neutron-induced fission of 238U has been measured radiochemically for 46 mass chains in the region A = 83–157. The absolute activities of each nuclide measured in this mass region were determined by gross beta counting and the cumulative fission yields were measured relative to 99Mo. The yields determined in this work are compared to all known literature values. Eleven fission yields are presented that have been experimentally measured for the first time for the 14·8 MeV neutron-induced fission of 238U. The yields measured make up about 115% of the total of 200% expected from fission. As reported previously in the literature, fine structure was observed to exist at mass number 134 and no clear evidence could be found for fine structure at other mass numbers.