Speaker
Description
The study of nuclear fission remains a critical area of research, not only for advancing our understanding of fundamental nuclear processes but also for its implications in the synthesis of heavy elements in astrophysical environments. In the context of r-process nucleosynthesis, fission plays a pivotal role by limiting the mass of nuclei that can be produced. However, data on the fission barriers of neutron-rich nuclei are still scarce. Investigating these fission barriers is crucial for understanding the impact of nuclear structure on fission dynamics.
The ISOLDE Solenoidal Spectrometer (ISS) introduces a novel approach to studying fission probabilities of neutron-rich actinides through (d,pF) reactions using Radioactive Ion Beams. This method employs an innovative setup designed to enhance detection efficiency for fission fragments, which are detected in coincidence with transfer-like protons in a solenoidal magnetic field. This optimised technique enables access to the fission probability as a function of the excitation energy. Furthermore, complementary $\gamma$-ray measurements provide valuable information on the total energy and multiplicity of $\gamma$-rays emitted during fission.
As an initial step to establish this new approach, the fission barrier of $^{233}$U has been measured. This data is not only important for our understanding of nuclear fission but could also have relevance for the thorium fuel cycle. In this presentation, the experimental setup will be introduced, and preliminary results will be discussed, emphasizing its potential to enhance our understanding of fission processes. Beyond this specific study, this method could be extended to explore even more exotic nuclei further from the valley of stability, offering new opportunities to investigate fission in regions of the nuclear chart that have previously remained experimentally inaccessible.