Analysis of the Fission and Capture Cross Sections of the Curium Isotopes

Abstract

Using a nuclear explosion as a neutron source, measurements were made of the fission cross sections of $^{244}\mathrm{Cm}$, $^{245}\mathrm{Cm}$, $^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$, and $^{248}\mathrm{Cm}$ between 20 eV and 3 MeV. Radiative-capture cross sections were measured at the same time for a sample of mixed Cm isotopes, consisting primarily of $^{244}\mathrm{Cm}$ and $^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$. Resonance analysis was carried out for $^{244}\mathrm{Cm}$ between 20 eV and 1 keV, for $^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$ and $^{248}\mathrm{Cm}$ between 20 and 400 eV, and for the odd isotopes between 20 and 60 eV. The results of the analysis show evidence of intermediate structure in the sub-barrier fission of $^{244}\mathrm{Cm}$.