Isotopic yield in cold binary fission of even-even $^{244-258}$Cf isotopes

TL;DR

This study investigates the isotopic yields in cold binary fission of even-even $^{244-258}$Cf isotopes, revealing the influence of magic nuclei and the preference for symmetric or asymmetric splitting based on isotope mass.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed theoretical analysis of isotopic yields in Cf isotopes using Coulomb and proximity potentials, highlighting the role of magic nuclei in fission fragment distributions.

Findings

Highest yields involve Pb, Hg, and Sn isotopes as fragments.

Asymmetric splitting favored for A<250, symmetric for A>252.

Comparison with experimental data for 252Cf shows good agreement.

Abstract

The cold binary fission of even-even 244-258Cf isotopes has been studied by taking the interacting barrier as the sum of Coulomb and proximity potential. The favorable fragment combinations are obtained from the cold valley plot (plot of driving potential vs. mass number of fragments) and by calculating the yield for charge minimized fragments. It is found that highest yield for 244,246,248Cf isotopes are for the fragments with isotope of Pb (Z=82) as one fragment, whereas for 250Cf and 252Cf isotopes the highest yield is for the fragments with isotope of Hg (Z=80) as one fragment. In the case of 254,256,258Cf isotopes the highest yield is for the fragments with Sn (Z=50) as one fragment. Thus, the fragment combinations with maximum yield reveal the role of doubly magic and near doubly magic nuclei in binary fission. It is found that asymmetric splitting is favoured for Cf isotopes with mass number A < 250 and symmetric splitting is favoured for Cf isotopes with A > 252. In the case of Cf isotope with A=252, there is an equal probability for asymmetric and symmetric splitting. The individual yields obtained for the cold fission of 252Cf isotope are compared with the experimental data taken from the {\gamma}- {\gamma}- {\gamma} coincidences technique using Gammasphere.