Average number of prompt neutrons during 236U fission by neutrons in the energy range of 0.8-6 MeV

The energy dependence is studied of the average number of prompt neutrons, anti #betta#sub(p), emitted during the 236U nuclear fission induced by the 0.8 to 6 MeV neutrons. The fission neutrons were detected by an assembly of 16 counters filled with 3He and placed in a polyethylene cylinder block. The fission fragments were detected by ionization chambers. The 236U enrichment exceeded 99%. The operating assembly consisted of six uranium- and one californium chamber located in the center of the assembly. The efficiency of fission fragment detection for the nuclei of 236U and 252Cf made up 80 and 96%, respectively. The analysis of the results obtained has shown that the relationship between anti #betta#sub(p) and neutron energy, Esub(n), takes the form: anti #betta#sub(p)=(2.346+-0.012)+(0.1072+-0.0071)Esub(n) at Esub(n) <2.35 MeV