Energy of 242Am and 242mAm fission fragments

Abstract

The energy spectra of single fragments from spontaneous fission of the 14 msec 242mAm isomer and from prompt fission of 242Am were measured. The isomer was produced by the 242Pu(d, 2n) 242mAm reaction, and the prompt fissions were produced by the 240Pu(d, f) reaction. The fragments from delayed fission were observed by semiconductor detectors after the compound nucleus had recoiled to a rotating catcher wheel. The usual doubly peaked spectra of fragment energies from heavy element fission were observed in both cases. The valley of the spectrum from spontaneous fission of the isomer is equally deep as the valley of the spectrum from prompt fission induced by 12 MeV deuterons. Energies of the peaks were the same for prompt fission and for spontaneous fission of the isomer. The former energies were constant over the 7.6 to 14 MeV span of incident deuteron energy. Comparisons of these fragment energies with those from 252Cf spontaneous fission and from deuteron-induced fission of other heavy elements agree with Z 2 A 1 3 systematics.