Post-Neutron Mass Yield Distribution in the Epi-Cadmium Neutron-Induced Fission of ²⁴³Am

The cumulative yields of fission products within the mass range of 83 to 119 and 123 to 158 have been measured in the epi-cadmium neutron-induced fission of ²⁴³Am by using an off-line gamma-ray spectrometric technique. Mass chain yields were obtained from the cumulative yields of the fission products by applying the charge distribution correction. From the mass yield data, the full-width at tenth-maximum of the light and heavy mass wing, the peak-to-valley (P/V) ratio, the average light mass <A_L> and heavy mass <A_H>, and the average number of neutrons <ν> were obtained. The mass yield data in the ²⁴³Am(n,f) reaction were compared with similar data in the ²⁴³Am(n_th,f) and ²⁴³Am(n_{16.5 MeV},f) reactions to examine the role of excitation energy on the nuclear structure effect and P/V ratio.