Fission of 242Pu with 15.1-MeV neutrons

The mass-yield distribution from the fission of 242Pu induced by 15.1-MeV neutrons was measured. Yields were measured for 65 fission products from 85Kr to 151Pm. From these data the total chain yields for 43 mass numbers were obtained and the mass-yield curve constructed. Fission product activities were measured by Ge(Li)= γ-ray spectrometry of the irradiated 242Pu target and by chemical separation of the fission product elements Pd, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, and Ce followed by β counting or γ-ray spectrometry. The peak-to-valley ratio in the mass-yield distribution is about 9.5. The average masses of the light and heavy groups are 101.5 and 136.5, respectively