The photofission cross section of ${}_{}{}^{232}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Th}$ was measured in the energy range 250–1200 MeV using a monochromatic tagged photon beam and a parallel-plate avalanche detector. The ${}_{}{}^{232}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Th}$ nuclear photofissility was obtained by measuring simultaneously and in the same energy range the photofission cross section of ${}_{}{}^{238}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{U}$ and assuming a photofissility equal to one for ${}_{}{}^{238}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{U}$. It was found that, contrary to the case for heavier actinides, the ${}_{}{}^{232}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Th}$ photofissility value does not saturate up to 1200 MeV. Rather, it lies between 0.6 and 0.8, and shows a weak energy dependence: it increases by about 15% over an interval of 1 GeV. A comparison of these experimental findings with the predictions of an intranuclear-cascade Monte Carlo calculation is given.

• Received 9 April 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.48.1785