Mass distribution of the fragments from the 14·6 MeV fission of 235U, 211U, and 239Pu

Abstract The study of fission fragment mass distributions leads to a better understanding of the mechanism of fission in heavy nuclei. At the same time, a knowledge of the relative fission fragment yields is of practical use in a number of radioisotope applications. This paper describes an experimental technique which has been used to determine the relative yields of some of the fragments produced in the fission of 235 U, 238 U and 239 Pu by 14·6 MeV neutrons. The results are presented in the form of fission fragment mass distribution curves and some of the more interesting features of these curves are discussed.