Island of the high yields of 252Cf(sf) collinear tripartition in the fragment mass space

Results of three independent experiments aimed at searching for collinear cluster tripartition (CCT) of the 252Cf (sf) are reported. They confirm previously proposed kinematical scheme let to distinguish two CCT partners flying almost in the same direction. A new island of the CCT manifestation in the mass-mass distribution of the decay fragments was revealed. A total yield of the CCT originated events in the island is not less than 4 x 10-3 per binary fission. Presumably, the ternary decay of nuclear molecules based on heavy magic clusters such as isotopes of Ni, Ge, Sn, Te gives rise to the effect observed. (authors)