Equilibrium Delayed Neutron Spectra from Fast Fission of Uranium-235, Uranium-238, and Plutonium-239

A 3He neutron spectrometer has been used to measure the energy spectra of delayed neutrons in equilibrium with fission induced by sub-MeV neutrons incident upon 235U, 238U, and 239Pu. Full contribution of shorter lived delayed neutron groups not previously measured was ensured by bombarding samples for 35 out of every 100 ms and measuring delayed neutrons for 40 ms between each bombarding pulse. Results show delayed neutron spectra of somewhat higher average energy than have previously been reported. Examination of the energy end points of delayed neutron emitters as a function of precursor half-life shows that the higher average delayed neutron energies are probably due to the inclusion of neutrons from the shorter lived precursors.