Microscopic mechanism of charged-particle radioactivity and generalization of the Geiger-Nuttall law

2009/09/24 by Chong Qi, Furong Xu, F. R. Xu +8 · 5 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Alpha particle #Astronomical and nuclear sciences #Atomic and Molecular Physics #Atomic physics #Charged particle #Cluster (spacecraft) #Ion #Law #Neutron #Nuclear physics #Nuclear physics research studies #Physics #Proton #Quantum mechanics #nucl-th

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevc.80.044326

published as Phys.Rev.C80:044326,2009 · 5 tables, 11 figures

arxiv created 2009/09/24 · openalex publication_date 2009/10/23 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

A linear relation for charged-particle emissions is presented starting from the microscopic mechanism of the radioactive decay. It relates the logarithms of the decay half-lives with two variables, called \ensuremathχ^' and \ensuremathρ^', which depend upon the Q values of the outgoing clusters as well as the masses and charges of the nuclei involved in the decay. This relation explains well all known cluster decays. It is found to be a generalization of the Geiger-Nuttall law in \ensuremathα radioactivity, and therefore we call it the universal decay law. Predictions of the most likely emissions of various clusters are presented by applying the law over the whole nuclear chart. It is seen that the decays of heavier clusters with nonequal proton and neutron numbers are mostly located in the trans-lead region. The emissions of clusters with equal protons and neutrons, like ¹²C and ¹⁶O, are possible in some neutron-deficient nuclei with Z\ensuremath\geqslant54.

Citations

• Doubly Magic NucleusHs162<mml:none/><mml:mprescripts/>108270
• Cluster decay in very heavy nuclei in a relativistic mean field model
• Zur Quantentheorie des Atomkernes
• The Nubase evaluation of nuclear and decay properties
• α particle preformation in heavy nuclei and penetration probability

Cited by

• A Universal Four-Fermion Formation Framework and Odd-Even Staggering in α Decay
• Limitations of the Geiger-Nuttall law in heavy cluster decay
• Spectroscopy along Flerovium Decay Chains: Discovery ofDs<mml:mprescripts/><mml:none/>280and an Excited State inCn<mml:mprescripts/><mml:none/>282
• Decay spectroscopy of element 115 daughters:Rg<mml:mprescripts/><mml:none/>280→Mt<mml:mprescripts/><mml:none/>276andMt<mml:mprescripts/><mml:none/>276→Bh<mml:mprescripts/><mml:none/>272
• α decay half-life estimation and uncertainty analysis

Related

• Universal decay law in charged-particle emission and exotic cluster radioactivity
• On the Validity of the Geiger-Nuttall Alpha-Decay Law and its Microscopic Basis
• A microscopically derived formula for alpha-decay half-lives
• Various cluster radioactivities above magic nuclei
• Unified description of the proton, alpha, cluster decays and spontaneously fissions half- life