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New, self-consistent, neutron-induced reaction cross-section calculations for 235,238U, 237Np, and 231,232,233Pa have been performed. The statistical model code STATIS was extended to take into account the multi-modality of the fission process. The three most dominant fission modes, the two asymmetric standard I (S1) and standard II (S2) modes, and the symmetric superlong (SL) mode have been taken into account. De-convoluted fission cross sections for these modes in 235,238U(n,f) and 237Np(n,f) based on experimental branching ratios, were calculated for the first time up to the second chance fission threshold. For 235U(n,f) and 233Pa(n,f), the calculations being made up to 50 MeV and 20 MeV incident neutron energy, respectively, higher fission chances have been considered. This implied the need for additional calculations for the neighbouring isotopes. As a side product also mass yield distributions could be calculated at energies hitherto not accessible by experiment. Experimental validation of the predictions is being envisaged. © 2005 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prompt fission neutron multiplicity and spectra of actinides are nuclear data of crucial importance. Based on experimental fission yield and total kinetic energy data, new calculations for the prompt neutron multiplicity and spectra for 238U(n,f), 237Np(n,f) in the incident neutron energy range up to the second chance fission threshold, for 238U(n,f), up to 50 MeV, and for 252Cf(SF) have been performed. For the first time the multi-modality of the fission process was taken into account up to the second fission chance (about 6 MeV). Additionally, for some isotopes a more realistic fission fragment residual temperature distribution as well as an anisotropy of the prompt neutron emission led to improved agreement between the calculation and experimental results. Also, the range of fission fragment pairs entering in the multiplicity and spectrum model was extended over the entire experimental fission-fragment mass range. This led to an improved version of the Los Alamos (LA) model and especially to an improved determination of the input model parameters. In addition the LA model is extended towards higher incident neutron energy, where the fission of compound nuclei formed by charged particle emission occurs. © 2005 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]