Angular momentum generation in nuclear fission

When a heavy atomic nucleus splits (fission), the resulting fragments are observed to emerge spinning¹; this phenomenon has been a mystery in nuclear physics for over 40 years^2,3. The internal generation of typically six or seven units of angular momentum in each fragment is particularly puzzling for systems that start with zero, or almost zero, spin. There are currently no experimental observations that enable decisive discrimination between the many competing theories for the mechanism that generates the angular momentum^4-12. Nevertheless, the consensus is that excitation of collective vibrational modes generates the intrinsic spin before the nucleus splits (pre-scission). Here we show that there is no significant correlation between the spins of the fragment partners, which leads us to conclude that angular momentum in fission is actually generated after the nucleus splits (post-scission). We present comprehensive data showing that the average spin is strongly mass-dependent, varying in saw-tooth distributions. We observe no notable dependence of fragment spin on the mass or charge of the partner nucleus, confirming the uncorrelated post-scission nature of the spin mechanism. To explain these observations, we propose that the collective motion of nucleons in the ruptured neck of the fissioning system generates two independent torques, analogous to the snapping of an elastic band. A parameterization based on occupation of angular momentum states according to statistical theory describes the full range of experimental data well. This insight into the role of spin in nuclear fission is not only important for the fundamental understanding and theoretical description of fission, but also has consequences for the γ-ray heating problem in nuclear reactors^13,14, for the study of the structure of neutron-rich isotopes^15,16, and for the synthesis and stability of super-heavy elements^17,18.

The study of prompt fission γ rays at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory

The study of prompt fission γ rays (PFGs) is crucial for understanding the energy and angular momentum distribution in fission, and over the last decade there has been an revived interest in this aspect of fission. We present the new experimental setup at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory for detecting PFGs resulting from charged particle-induced fission. Additionally, PFGs from the reaction 240Pu(d,pf) were measured in April 2018, and the fission gated proton-γ coincidence spectrum is shown. In order to explore the dependence of the PFG emission on the excitation energy and angular momentum of the compound nucleus, we plan several experiments where charged particle reactions are used to induce fission in various plutonium isotopes. The final results will be compared to predictions made by the Fission Reaction Event Yield Algorithm (FREYA) in an upcoming publication, to benchmark the current modelling of both the PFGs and the fission process.

Performance validation of the first arm of FALSTAFF: 252Cf and 235U fission fragment characterisation

The renewed interest for the study of nuclear fission is mainly motivated by the development of GEN-IV reactor concepts, mostly foreseen to operate in the fast neutron energy domain. To support this development, new high-quality nuclear data are needed. In this context, a new experimental setup, the FALSTAFF spectrometer, dedicated to the study of nuclear fission is under development. Employing the double-velocity (2V) and energy-velocity (EV) methods, the fission fragment mass before and after neutron evaporation will be deduced and the correlation between prompt neutron multiplicity and fragment mass will be determined. The first arm of the spectrometer is achieved. It is composed of two SED-MWPC detectors (a combination of a foil to produce secondary electrons and a Multi-Wire Proportional Chamber to detect them) and an axial ionization chamber. The SED-MWPC give access to the velocity (V) via time-of-flight and position measurements. The ionization chamber measures the fragment kinetic energy (E) and the energy loss profile. Preliminary results for spontaneous fission of 252Cf and from the thermal-neutron induced fission experiment on 235U, performed at the Orphée reactor (CEA-Saclay, France), are presented.

The Neutrons for Science Facility at SPIRAL-2

The neutrons for science (NFS) facility is a component of SPIRAL-2, the new superconducting linear accelerator built at GANIL in Caen (France). The proton and deuteron beams delivered by the accelerator will allow producing intense neutron fields in the 100 keV-40 MeV energy range. Continuous and quasi-mono-kinetic energy spectra, respectively, will be available at NFS, produced by the interaction of a deuteron beam on a thick Be converter and by the 7Li(p,n) reaction on thin converter. The pulsed neutron beam, with a flux up to two orders of magnitude higher than those of other existing time-of-flight facilities, will open new opportunities of experiments in fundamental research as well as in nuclear data measurements. In addition to the neutron beam, irradiation stations for neutron-, proton- and deuteron-induced reactions will be available for cross-sections measurements and for the irradiation of electronic devices or biological cells. NFS, whose first experiment is foreseen in 2018, will be a very powerful tool for physics, fundamental research as well as applications like the transmutation of nuclear waste, design of future fission and fusion reactors, nuclear medicine or test and development of new detectors.

Prompt fission gamma-ray emission spectral data for 239Pu(n,f) using fast directional neutrons from the LICORNE neutron source

Prompt fission gamma-ray spectra (PFGS) have been measured for the 239Pu(n,f) reaction using fast neutrons at Ēn=1.81 MeV produced by the LICORNE directional neutron source. The setup makes use of LaBr3 scintillation detectors and PARIS phoswich detectors to measure the emitted prompt fission gamma rays (PFG). The mean multiplicity, average total energy release per fission and average energy of photons are extracted from the unfolded PFGS. These new measurements provide complementary information to other recent work on thermal neutron induced fission of 239Pu and spontaneous fission of 252Cf.

Studies of fission fragment yields via high-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy

Precise spectroscopic information on the fast neutron induced fission of the 238U(n,f) reaction was recently gained using a new technique which involved coupling of the Miniball high resolution y-ray spectrometer and the LICORNE directional neutron source. The experiment allowed measurement of the isotopic fission yields for around 40 even-even nuclei at an incident neutron energy of around 2 MeV where yield data are very sparse. In addition spectroscopic information on very neutron-rich fission products was obtained. Results were compared to models, both the JEFF-3.1.1 data base and the GEF code, and large discrepancies for the S1 fission mode in the Sn/Mo isotope pair were discovered. This suggests that current models are overestimating the role played by spherical shell effects in fast neutron induced fission. In late 2017 and 2018 the nu-ball hybrid spectrometer will be constructed at the IPN Orsay to perform further experimental investigations with directional neutrons coupled to a powerful hybrid Ge/LaBr3 detector array. This will open up new possibilities for measurements of fission yields for fast-neutron-induced fission using the spectroscopic technique and will be complimentary to other methods being developed.

Multi-layer ²³⁵UF₄-⁶LiF-Au targets for high-resolution fission fragment measurements

Multi-layer (235)UF4-(6)LiF-Au targets have been produced by vacuum deposition on thin polyimide foils with an areal density, measured by spectrophotometry, of about 33µgcm(-2). The foils were first covered with an Au-layer and then, with a second layer of (6)LiF, both by vapour deposition. The (235)UF4 layer was prepared by fluoride sublimation. Each deposited mass was characterized separately by means of differential weighing for the Au and (6)LiF layers and by low-geometry alpha-particle counting for the (235)UF4 layer. The atomic abundances of the uranium base material have been measured by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The targets were prepared for measuring fission-fragment emission yields with high mass-resolution.

Identification of a shape isomer in 235U

The shape isomer in 235U has been searched for in a neutron-induced fission experiment on 234U, which was performed at the isomer spectrometer NEPTUNE of the EC-JRC IRMM. A neutron source, with a tunable pulse frequency in the Hz to kHz range and its individually adjustable neutron pulse width in connection with an appropriate detector system turned out to be the ideal instrument to perform an isomer search, when decay half-lives above 100 micros are expected. From the delayed fission events observed for two different NEPTUNE settings and at mean incident neutron energies En=0.95 and 1.27 MeV the isomeric fission half-life could be determined to be T1/2=(3.6+/-1.8) ms. The corresponding cross section was determined to sigmaif=(10+/-8) microb. With these results an experimental confirmation for the existence of a superdeformed shape isomer in odd-uranium isotopes is given for the first time.

Neutron-induced fission cross section of 233Pa between 1.0 and 3.0 MeV

The energy dependent neutron-induced fission cross section of 233Pa has for the first time been measured directly with monoenergetic neutrons. This nuclide is an important intermediary in a thorium based fuel cycle, and its fission cross section is a key parameter in the modeling of future advanced fuel and reactor concepts. A first experiment resulted in four cross section values between 1.0 and 3.0 MeV, establishing a fission threshold in excess of 1 MeV. Significant discrepancies were found with a previous indirect experimental determination and with model estimates.

Volume traps--a new retrospective radon monitor

A new method to trace back average radon concentrations in dwellings over several decades in time has been developed. This retrospective radon monitor is based on the measurement of the alpha activity of 210Po deposited in volume traps, e.g., spongy materials used for mattresses and cushions. Polyester samples with different densities have been exposed to radon-laden air. The exposures correspond to characteristic radon concentrations between 390 Bq m-3 and 3.9 kBq m-3 over a 20 y period. The precision in converting the 210Po-signal to the radon exposure has been improved by more than one order of magnitude compared to other common techniques. It is shown that this very sensitive method may be applied to almost all types of volume traps used in households.

The assessment of plutonium and americium in contaminated wounds with high energy resolution semiconductor detectors

A simple to use method was installed for the measurement of wounds contaminated with plutonium and americium by using a semiconductor detector. This technique does not explicitly require the knowledge of the detector efficiency but uses a plant 241Am calibration source. A computer programme has also been developed for the quantification of the contamination according to the shape and the depth of the contaminant in the wound.