Fission involves a new state of nuclear matter

TL;DR

This paper proposes that nuclear fission involves a rapid transition to a new state of nuclear matter with closed nucleon shells, influencing fragment distributions and suggesting a novel collective interaction.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of a new nuclear matter state during fission, characterized by closed shells and a potential all-neutron configuration, with implications for understanding fission dynamics.

Findings

Fission occurs within 0.17 yoctoseconds in a new nuclear matter state.

Isotopic distribution widths reflect neutron number uncertainty.

Magic numbers 82 and 126 significantly influence mass distributions.

Abstract

The rearrangement step of nuclear fission occurs within 0.17 yoctosecond, in a new state of nuclear matter characterized by the formation of closed shells of nucleons. The determination of its lifetime is now based on the prompt neutron emission law. The width of isotopic distributions measures the uncertainty in the neutron number of the fragments. Magic mass numbers, 82 and 126, play a major role in the mass distributions. Arguments are presented in favour of an all-neutron state. The boson field responsible for the new collective interaction has to be searched for.