A daring interpretation of binary fission

The nucleon phase hypothesis means that the distinct proton phase and neutron phase, which coexist in ordinary nucleon matter, disappear in extreme conditions such as fission reactions and are replaced by a unique nucleon phase. In the nucleon phase model the nucleons form closed shells for the same magic numbers as those of the proton and neutron phases, in particular for A equals 82 and A equals 126. This model explains very well the equation of James Terrell giving the mean value of the prompt-neutron yield of thermal fission for U233, U235 and Pu239 and of simultaneous fission for Cf252 as functions of the mass numbers of the light and heavy fission fragments. The nucleon phase hypothesis implies an ignition step that precedes the step of nucleon phase. This ignition step is that of the clusterization in which A equals 82 and A equals 126 nucleon cores appear. It is shown how the nucleon phase model explains why light actinide nuclei fission asymmetrically and why Fm258 and heavier nuclei fission symmetrically. (A.C.)