The Alpha Spectra of Cm242, Cm243, and Cm244

Abstract

The alpha and gamma spectra of ${\mathrm{Cm}}^{242}$, ${\mathrm{Cm}}^{243}$, and ${\mathrm{Cm}}^{244}$ have been studied with an alpha-particle spectrograph and gamma-ray scintillation counters. ${\mathrm{Cm}}^{242}$ has alpha groups of 6.110 (73.7 percent), 6.066 (26.3 percent), and 5.964 Mev (0.035 percent) and gamma rays of 44 (0.041 percent), 100 (0.006 percent), and 157 kev (0.0027 percent). ${\mathrm{Cm}}^{243}$ has alpha groups of 5.985 (6 percent), 5.777 (81 percent), and 5.732 Mev (13 percent) and gamma rays of 104, 226, and 278 kev in coincidence with the 5.777-Mev alpha group. ${\mathrm{Cm}}^{244}$ has alpha groups of 5.798 (75 percent) and 5.755 Mev (25 percent). The spectra are discussed relative to alpha-decay theory and corresponding excited states reached by ${\beta }^{-}$ decay processes.