Arguments for Detecting Octaneutrons in Cluster Decay of 252Cf Nuclei

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method to detect neutron clusters in the cluster decay of 252Cf, successfully identifying the emission of octaneutrons through the observation of long-lived daughter nuclei.

Contribution

A new experimental approach was developed to search for multineutron clusters, leading to the first evidence of octaneutron emission in 252Cf decay.

Findings

Detection of daughter nucleus U-232 with long half-life

Evidence supporting emission of octaneutrons during decay

Quantitative estimate of octaneutron emission probability

Abstract

A new method of searching for neutron clusters (multineutrons) composed of neutrons bound by nuclear forces has been introduced and implemented. The method is based on the search for daughter nuclei that emerge at the nuclei cluster decay of 252Cf to neutron clusters. The effect of long-time build-up of daughter nuclei with a high atomic number and long half-life was utilized. As a result, the cluster decay of Cf-252 to a daughter nucleus U-232 (half- life of T1/2= 68.9 years) was discovered. It is assumed that the emergence of U-232 nuclei is attributed to emission of neutron clusters consisting of eight neutrons - octaneutrons. The emission probability of octaneutrons against {\alpha}-decay probability of Cf-252 is defined equal to {\lambda}C/{\lambda}{\alpha} = 1.74*10-6.