Charge Distribution Studies in the Epi-Cadmium Neutron-Induced Fission of ²⁴¹Pu

For the first time, charge distribution studies have been carried out in the epi-cadmium neutron-induced fission of ²⁴¹Pu by measuring the fractional cumulative yields (FCYs) and independent yields of various fission products by using an off-line gamma-ray spectrometric technique. The average energy of the epi-cadmium neutron spectrum is 1.9 MeV. From the FCY values, the isobaric width parameter σ_Z, most probable charge Z_P, and charge polarization ∆Ζ_EXPT as a function of fragment mass were obtained. On the other hand, from the independent yield values, isotopic width parameter σ_A; the most probable mass A_P; and the elemental yields Y_Z of Sn, Sb, Te, I, Xe, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, and Pr were determined by using a nonlinear fit. From the Y_Z values, the proton even-odd effect δ_p was obtained for the first time. The present data were compared with similar data in the ²⁴¹Pu(n_th,f) reaction and epi-cadmium neutron-induced fission of ²⁴⁰Pu as well as other actinides to examine the role of the excitation energy and pairing effect.