Anomalous Neutron Yields Confirmed for Ba-Mo and Newly Observed for Ce-Zr from Spontaneous Fission of $^{252}$Cf

TL;DR

This study enhances the understanding of neutron yields in spontaneous fission of $^{252}$Cf, confirming a second hot fission mode with high neutron evaporation channels, including the first observation of an 11-neutron channel in Ba-Mo pairs.

Contribution

The paper provides the first observation of 8-11 neutron evaporation channels in Ba-Mo and Ce-Zr pairs, using improved measurement techniques and updated nuclear level schemes.

Findings

Confirmed second hot fission mode in Ba-Mo with 8-11 neutrons

First observation of 11-neutron channel in Ba-Mo pairs

Detected high neutron multiplicity modes suggest hyperdeformation or octupole deformation

Abstract

We reinvestigated the neutron multiplicity yields of Ba-Mo, Ce-Zr, Te-Pd, and Nd-Sr from the spontaneous fission of $^{252}$Cf; by (i) using both $\gamma$-$\gamma$-$\gamma$-$\gamma$ and $\gamma$-$\gamma$-$\gamma$ coincidence data, (ii) using up to date level scheme structures, and (iii) cross-checking analogous energy transitions in multiple isotopes, we have achieved higher precision than previous analyses. Particular attention was given to the Ba-Mo pairs where our results clearly confirm that the Ba-Mo yield data have a second hot fission mode where 8, 9, 10, and now 11 neutron evaporation channels are observed. These are the first observations of the 11 neutron channel. These 8-11 neutron channels are observed for the first time in the Ce-Zr pairs, but are not observed in other fission pairs. The measured intensities of the second mode in Ba-Mo and Ce-Zr pairs are $\sim$1.5(4)$\%$ and $\sim$1.0(3)$\%$, respectively. These high neutron number evaporation modes can be an indication of hyperdeformation and/or octupole deformation in $^{143-145}$Ba and in $^{146,148}$Ce at scission to give rise to such high neutron multiplicities.