Spin-orbit interaction in final state as possible reason for T-odd correlation in ternary fission

Abstract

A model for ternary fission is discussed in which a third particle (alpha-particle) is emitted due to non-adiabatic change of the nuclear potential at neck rapture. An expression for energy and angular distribution of alpha-particles is proposed. It is shown that an interaction between spin of fissioning system and orbital momentum of alpha-particle (spin-orbit interaction in the final state) results in recently observed asymmetry of alpha-particle emission, which can be formally related to T-odd correlation. No strong dependence of the asymmetry on the angle of alpha-particle emission with respect to the fission axis is predicted by the model in accordance with the experimental data.

Comments: 11 pages. The work was presented at the ISINN-9 (2001, Dubna, Russia) after a T odd triple correlation had been found in ternary fission. Now the model proposed in this work is of additional interest because it provides a possibility to describe a smooth angular dependence of triple correlation recently observed (see F. Goennenwein et al. PLB, 2007, V.652, P.13.)