Investigation of the high energy component in the fission γ ray spectrum of 252Cf

The 252Cf(sf) γ-ray spectrum was measured in the Darmstadt-Heidelberg crystal ball spectrometer, using a double ionization chamber to detect the fission fragments. The measurement was aimed at a better understanding of the so-called non-statistical component, which appears between 3 and 8 MeV for certain fragment mass splits. This component was proved to reach its peak intensity for the mass split of 132:120, to be predominantly emitted by the heavier fragment, and to have an isotropic angular distribution. These findings exclude several scenarios put forward the explain this γ-ray component. (orig.)