Measurement of Neutron-Induced, Fission-Fragment Energy Spectra in the Advanced Laboratory

Fission experiments can be profitably performed in the Advanced Laboratory. Measurement of the fragment energy spectrum from a fissile source using a surface barrier detector demonstrates several characteristics of the fission process. Experimental difficulties in such measurements are discussed, and typical results are presented for neutron-induced fission with sources of natural uranium and those enriched in 235U. Also shown are the results with the spontaneous fissile source 252Cf.