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

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 ${}_{}{}^{244}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Cm}$.