Alpha-Particles Associated with Fission

The photographic emulsion technique has been applied to the study of the long range particles associated with the fission of uranium. Twenty such long range tracks were observed and studied. From the grain spacing along the tracks it was possible to show that the particles are not protons but are most likely alpha-particles. The maximum range observed for the long range alphas is about 40 cm of normal air. From the distribution in angle with respect to the fission tracks, it is shown that the alphas are not emitted from the fission fragments but are released as a part of the fission process.