Scission-point model predictions of fission-fragment mass and total kinetic energy distributions for 236U and 252Cf

Abstract

The total deformation energy at the moment of the neck rupture for 236U and 252Cf is calculated using the Strutinsky's prescription and nuclear shapes described in terms of Cassinian ovals generalized by the inclusion of four additional shape parameters: α1, α2, α3, and α4. The corresponding fragment-mass distributions are estimated supposing that each point in the deformation space is occupied according to a canonical distribution. The energy distributions of fission fragments are calculated assuming the point-charge approximation for the Coulomb interaction of fission fragments. Finally, an alternative definition of the nuclear scission point configuration relying on the minimization of liquid drop energy (optimal shape method) is used. Both definitions lead, for these two nuclei, to a reasonably good agreement with the experimental data.