Nucleon-induced fission cross-sections of tantalum and separated tungsten isotopes and "compound nucleus" effect in intermediate energy region

TL;DR

This study measures neutron- and proton-induced fission cross-sections of tungsten and tantalum isotopes at intermediate energies, compares results with theoretical models, and discusses the influence of the 'compound nucleus' effect on fission processes.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on fission cross-sections for specific isotopes and explores the 'compound nucleus' effect in the intermediate energy region, linking it to the Z^2/A parameter.

Findings

Fission cross-sections increase exponentially with Z^2/A parameter.

Comparison shows partial agreement with CEM03.01 predictions.

The 'compound nucleus' effect influences fission characteristics at intermediate energies.

Abstract

Neutron- and proton-induced fission cross-sections of separated isotopes of tungsten (182W, 183W, 184W, and 186W) and 181Ta relative to 209Bi have been measured in the incident nucleon energy region 50 - 200 MeV using fission chambers based on thin-film breakdown counters (TFBC) using quasi-monoenergetic neutrons from the 7Li(p,n) reaction and at the proton beams of The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL), Uppsala University (Uppsala, Sweden). The results are compared with predictions by the CEM03.01 event generator, as well as with the recent data for nuclei in the lead-bismuth region. The effect of "compound nucleus" in the intermediate energy region is discussed, displaying in exponential dependence of nucleon-induced fission cross-sections on the parameter Z^2/A of the composite system (projectile+target nucleus), and in other characteristics of the fission process for which parameter Z^2/A plays a role similar to the one of the usual liquid-drop parameter Z^2/A of compound nuclei.