Absolute fission yields in the spontaneous fission of Cm-244: A new approach using Lexan catcher-cum gamma ray spectrometry

A new approach based on the recoil catcher technique coupled to track etch- cum gamma ray spetrometry has been developed to determine the absolute yiel ds of fission products in the low energy fission of actinides. The techniqu e is particularly suitable for determining absolute fission yields in the f ission of highly alpha active and sparingly available actinide isotopes. In the pre sent work, the technique was employed in the spontaneous fission o f Cm-244 and absolute yields of 21 fission products in 20 mass chains have been determined. The total number of fissions occuring in the target was es timated after registering the fission tracks on a Lexan solid state track d etector. The number of fission products atoms were analysed by gamma ray sp ectrometry after collecting the fission products on the Lexan catcher using recoil catcher technique. The fission yields determined show a very good a greement with the literature data, indicating the sensitivity and accuracy of the present technique.