Direct proof of electron-capture–delayed-fission process

Delayed Fission

“…In 1969, Berlovich & Novikov (9) demonstrated that these fission activities met the theoretical conditions required for delayed fission, although the activities were not specifically attributed to a delayed fission process until 1972 (10). Definitive proof that delayed fission was responsible for these activities was not obtained until our work in 1989 (11).…”

“…We have also combined Si detectors with intrinsic Ge "(-ray detectors (11,24,25). This system allows simultaneous measurement of the K capture x rays from electron capture with the subsequent delayed fis sion.…”

“…We have used rapid radiochemical separations in our studies of light americium isotopes (11,24,25,27). Two procedures were developed, one for Z identification and one for 'Y spectroscopy.…”

“…Since 1989 we have been studying the light americium and neptunium regions in depth (11,17,24,25,27,28). Through the innovation of the multiple target system for light-ion bombardments, we have been able to perform experiments wherein thousands of fission events have been observed rather than the tens to hundreds of earlier experiments.…”

β -delayed fission of Am230

“…These nuclides were further studied in more detail in follow-up experiments in Dubna [4], Berkeley [5,6], and Karlsruhe [7]. Though different experimental techniques and analysis assumptions were used by Kuznetsov et al [4] (Dubna, 1967) and Hall et al [6,8] (Berkeley, 1990) in their respective studies of 234 Am, very comparable values of P βDF ( 234 Am) were deduced, see Table I.…”