Deformation effects in the alpha accompanied cold ternary fission of even-even $^{244-260}$Cf isotopes

TL;DR

This study investigates alpha-accompanied ternary fission in even-even Cf isotopes using the UTFM, highlighting the influence of shell closures and deformation on fragment yields, with results aligning well with experimental data.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model including deformation and orientation effects to predict fragment yields in Cf isotopes, improving understanding of fission fragment distributions.

Findings

Highest yields involve near doubly magic nuclei like 132^Te and 132^Sn.

Deformation significantly influences the relative yields of fragment combinations.

Computed emission probabilities and kinetic energies match experimental observations.

Abstract

Within the Unified ternary fission model (UTFM), the alpha accompanied ternary fission of even-even $^{244-260}$Cf isotopes has been studied by taking the interacting barrier as the sum of Coulomb and proximity potential. For the alpha accompanied ternary fission of 244^Cf isotope, the highest yield is obtained for the fragment combination 108^Ru+4^He+132^Te, which contain near doubly magic nuclei 132^Te (N=80, Z=52). In the case of 246^Cf and 248^Cf isotopes, the highest yield is obtained for the fragment combinations with near doubly magic nuclei 134^Te (N=82, Z=52) as the heavier fragment. The highest yield obtained for 250^Cf, 252^Cf, 254^Cf, 256^Cf, 258^Cf and 260^Cf isotopes is for the fragment combination with doubly magic nuclei 132^Sn (N=82, Z=50) as the heavier fragment. We have included the effect of deformation and orientation of fragments and this has revealed that in addition to closed shell effect, ground state deformation also plays an important role in the calculation of relative yield of favorable fragment combinations. The computed isotopic yields for alpha accompanied ternary fission of 252^Cf isotope are found to be in agreement with the experimental data. The emission probability and kinetic energy of long range alpha particle is calculated for the various isotopes of Cf and are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.