Near-barrier Photofission in ²³²Th and ²³⁸U

A study of photofission of $^{232}$Th and $^{238}$U was performed using quasi-monoenergetic, linearly-polarized $\gamma$-ray beams from the High Intensity $\gamma$-ray Source at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory. The prompt photofission neutron polarization asymmetries, neutron multiplicities and the photofission cross sections were measured in the near-barrier energy range of 4.3-6.0 MeV. This data set constitutes the lowest energy measurements of those observables to date using quasi-monoenergetic photons. Large polarization asymmetries are observed in both nuclei, consistent with the E1 excitation as observed by another measurement of this kind made in a higher energy range. Previous experimental evidence of a deep third minimum in the $^{238}$U fission barrier has been identified as an accelerator-induced background.