Revised prompt neutron emission multiplicity distributions for 236,238Pu Original Research Article

The prompt neutron emission multiplicity distributions and average values (Pν and 〈ν〉, respectively) for nuclei which decay via spontaneous fission have been reevaluated. In the cases of 236Pu and 238Pu, inconsistencies were found in the recommended values for Pν and 〈ν〉 that were given in the most recent compilation of neutron emission multiplicity distributions from the fission of uranium and transuranium nuclides. In correcting for these inconsistencies, the values of 〈ν〉 for 236Pu and 238Pu have now been revised to 2.07±0.13 and 2.19±0.07, respectively. The corresponding neutron emission probabilities for these two nuclei have also been revised in order to take into account the new recommended 〈ν〉 values.