Frank's continuation conjecture for the three-dimensional Bohr–Wheeler branch

Let $\chi$ be the fissility parameter. The Bohr–Wheeler branch is the bifurcation branch of three-dimensional saddle points, and a saddle point is the transition state along the corresponding minimum energy path. Frank's continuation conjecture. The Bohr–Wheeler branch in three dimensions continues to arbitrarily small $\chi$, and the saddle point on this branch converges to two touching balls as $\chi\to0$. This conjecture is stated in Frank's work and is supported by the paper's numerical results, but the supplied text does not establish it.