238U(e,e'f) coincidence experiments on the E2/E0 strength distribution in the fission channel of 238U

At the Stanford Superconducting Recyclotron, spectra of inelastically scattered electrons from 238U have been measured in coincidence with fission fragments detected in an array of parallel plate avalanche counters. Incident beam energies of 80 and 118 MeV were selected such that the corresponding momentum transfers (q = 0.21 und 0.41 fm-1 at THETAsub(e') = 400) correspond to maxima of the E1 and E2 form factors. Using collective form factors to separate E1, E2/E0 contributions, the deduced E1 absorption satisfactorily reproduces the results of photonuclear work, whereas the E2/E0 component shows a continuum of strength with a compact resonance at Esub(x) proportional 9.5 MeV. (orig.)