Measurement of photofission excitation of 237NP

The angular distribution of Np-237 fission fragments was measured over the energy range 7.4 MeV -9.2 MeV in steps of 0.4 MeV of bremsstrahlung radiation. Lexan polycarbonate films (SSNTD) were used to detect the fission fragments. The photon intensity from the Microtron accelerator at a distance of 15 cm from the bremsstrahlung converter (tantalum target) facility was estimated to be 10(10) photons s(-1) using the code EGS-4. The photofission cross-section was calculated using the angular distribution of fission fragments and the results were compared with those obtained using the code EMPIRE-II and various barrier parameters of the RIPL-1, RIPL-2 libraries and with the new analytical fission barrier formula based on the Hugenholtz-Van Hove theorem. The results are in good agreement with the prediction of the RIPL-1 barrier parameter and analytical fission barrier formula. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.