Fission fragment energy loss and spectrum parameter changes for 252Cf sources overcoated with carbon and gold

Abstract

The self-transfer properties of 252Cf sources in a vacuum environment necessitates the use of thin cover layers if the 252Cf sources are to be used in fission fragment experiments or if the amount of 252Cf on the sources is determined by low geometry alpha or fission fragment counting. The thin cover layers prevent the transfer of the 252Cf to surrounding areas without seriously degrading the fission fragment spectrum. This paper describes how thin carbon and gold cover foils affect the fission fragment energy, fission fragment spectrum parameters, and transfer rates from 252Cf sources.