Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, USA
Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Abstract:
A close-geometry experimental technique has been developed and used to measure thick target fission yields for protons on 238U from 4.2 to 12 MeV. Fission fragments were detected at back angles by an annular photo-voltaic detector in coincidence with γ-ray registered in large NaI(Tl) detector. The neutron induced fission background was monitored by a detector on the downstream side of the thick target. Measured yields compare well with those calculated from published thin target cross sections. This method has the required sensitivity to carry out measurements at still lower energies where recent measurements give conflicting findings.