Transition-state theory for fission angular distributions: a flexible-rotor model

Abstract

Current studies of heavy-ion reactions make extensive use of fission-fragment angular distributions to prove the limits of statistical equilibrium. The "standard" theory was derived for a rigid-rotor, transition-state nucleus. Here a more complete theory is developed by inclusion of the dependence of transition-state shape on orientation of the symmetry axis. It is concluded that even this improved application of the liquid-drop model cannot give an adequate prediction of the Z²/A dependence of fission-fragment anisotropies.