MEASUREMENT OF PHOTOFISSION CROSS-SECTION OF²³⁸UUSING MICROTRON FACILITY

Abstract

Photofission cross-section of 238 U was measured using bremsstrahlung radiation energy 7.4-9.0 MeV with energy step of 0.4 MeV by employing Lexan polycarbonate film as solid state nuclear track detector (SSNTD). The photon intensity from the Microtron accelerator at a distance of 15 cm from the bremsstrahlung converter (tantalum target) facility was estimated to be 10 10 photons/sec using the code EGS-4. In this paper, details of the fission fragment angular distribution measurements of 238 U target using Lexan polycarbonate have been discussed. The photofission cross-section was calculated using the angular distribution of fission fragments and the results were compared with those obtained using the code EMPIRE-II and various barrier parameters of the RIPL-1, RIPL-2 libraries and with the new analytical fission barrier formula based on the Hugenholtz-Van Hove theorem. The present experimental measurements were in good agreement with the results obtained from the Empire-II code predictions for potential parameter taken from RIPL-1 and a newly developed analytical fission barrier formula.

Photofission of238U Nuclei

“…For reaction to take place high flux of fast neutrons are required. Therefore experimental cross section measurement of 238 U is easier for photon induced fission than neutron induced fission [8]. Therefore, this work is a proof-of-concept experiment which is the first of in the series of our future planned photofission experiments with a clinical e-linac operated with different endpoint energies.…”