(d, p) Reactions in Deformed Heavy Nuclei

Abstract

The spectra of protons from (d,p) nuclear reactions initiated by 11-Mev deuterons incident on Th 232 , U 233 , U 235 , U 238 , and Pu 239 have been obtained using separated isotopic targets. The protons were analyzed in a double-focusing magnetic spectrometer. States with assignments known from radioactive-decay studies are identified and assignments for some other observed states are discussed using the Nilsson model and Satchler's theory of (d,p) reactions in deformed nuclei. From an analysis of the results the following binding energies of the last neutron are obtained: U 234 , 6.83±0.11 Mev; U 239 , 4.74±0.06 Mev; and Pu 240 , 6.49±0.05 Mev.