Nucleosynthesis of Transuranium Elements in Thermonuclear Explosions

Abstract

Artificial rapid nucleosynthesis (r-process) in highly intensive neutron fluxes of thermonuclear explosions (\({\sim}10{}^{24}\) n/cm\({}^{2}\) during the time \({\sim}10^{-6}\) s) is investigated within the developed dynamic model. Creation of transuranium nuclides is studied taking into account the time dependence of parameters and processes accompanying the beta decays of neutron-rich nuclei. The probabilities of beta-delayed processes are calculated based on the finite Fermi systems theory. Calculations of the transuranium nuclides’ yields \(Y(A)\) are carried out for five large-scale explosive experiments in the United States (Mike, Anacostia, Par, Barbel, and Vulcan). Good or satisfactory agreement with experimental data is obtained. Even–odd anomaly in the observed transuranium yields at \(A>250\) is explained by the effect of processes accompanying the beta decays of heavy neutron-rich isotopes.