Abstract
We have searched for beta-delayed fission in the decay of 2.3 min238Pa produced in the238U(n,p) reaction with 14.7 MeV neutrons. Through microprocessor-controlled chemical separations of protactinium about 109 atoms of238Pa were isolated and exposed to fission track detectors. From the absence of fission tracks an upper limit for the betadelayed fission probability of238Pa, i.e.P βf <2.6 10−8, is obtained at 95% confidence level. This rules out positive evidence for this decay mode of238Pa reported elsewhere. Simple theoretical estimates ofP βf range from 10−7 to 10−9.
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The authors acknowledge the help of Mrs. U. Knitz, Mrs. M. Maue, Mrs. P. Thörle, and Mr. W. Kieling in performing the numerous chemical separations and thank Mr. H. Herter for the efficient operation of the neutron generator.