Measurement of ν in Fast Neutron Fission of Th²³² and U²³⁸

Using a large liquid scintillator as the fission neutron detector the number of prompt neutrons per fission, ν, for Th²³² and U²³⁸ have been measured at neutron energies of 3.6 and 14.9 Mev. The values for U²³⁸ of 2.79 ± 0.09 and 4.75 ± 0.12 are in good agreement with earlier accurate measurements while the Th²³² values of 2.42 ± 0.10 and 4.43 ± 0.13 agree with the results of Kuzminov et al. and of Leroy but not so well with that of Smith et al. The parameters of the equation (E_n) = (0) + a·E_n, where E_n is the neutron energy in Mev, have been obtained by fitting a straight line to the available data using the least mean square method yielding (E_n) = 1.87 + 0.177 E_n for Th²³² and (E_n) = 2.30 + 0.154 E_n for U²³⁸.