Angular anisotropy of prompt γ rays and fragment spin alignment in binary and light-charged-particle-accompanied spontaneous fission of 252Cf

Angular correlations of prompt gamma rays in binary and light-charged-particle (LCP)-accompanied spontaneous fission of Cf-252 were measured with a 4 pi-crystal-ball NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer. For H-3, He-4, He-6, Li, and Be accompanied fission, gamma-ray angular distributions were deduced with respect to the motion both of the fragments and the LCPs. There is no indication for a change of the fragment spin alignment by the LCP release or for a correlation between the LCP direction and a bending motion at scission, as was argued in previous investigations. Consequences for the understanding of fragment spin formation an briefly discussed.