Measurement of the anisotropy of the angular distributions of fragments and the cross section for the neutron-induced fission of $^{242}$Pu nuclei in the energy range of $0.3$–$500$ MeV

The angular distributions of fragments and the cross section for the neutron-induced fission of $^{242}$Pu nuclei in the energy range of $0.3$–$500$ MeV have been measured using the time-of-flight spectrometer of the GNEIS neutron complex at the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, National Research Center Kurchatov Institute. Fission fragments have been detected using low-pressure position-sensitive multiwire proportional counters. The $^{242}$Pu $(n,f)$ fission cross section has been measured with respect to the $^{235}$U $(n,f)$ fission cross section. The data obtained are compared to the results of previous experiments, as well as to estimates from various evaluated data libraries.