Alpha-decay spectroscopy of $$^{257}$$Rf

The Theory of Alpha Decay

One of the relatively simple physical processes that can be described successfully in the framework of introductory quantum theory is alpha decay. In this process, two protons and two neutrons out of a relatively large nucleus dissociate from the rest of the nucleus, form a separate subsystem and subsequently depart. In its full complexity, this process is not be describable, however a reasonab...

Quantum Mechanics of Alpha Decay

Quantum mechanical basis for the Geiger-Nuttal Law. Determination of the half-lives of several species in the Uranium, Thorium and Actinium series through the use of a scintillator, solid-state detector and coincidence circuitry. The half-lives of Po, Rn and Po are determined at 181 ± 5 s, 4.49 ± .01 days and 163 ± 1 μs, respectively. Verification of the theoretical relationship between half-li...

Heavy Quark Spectroscopy and Decay

Alpha-decay damage and recrystallization in zircon: evidence for an intermediate state from infrared spectroscopy

α-decay damage and recrystallization in natural zircon (with dose ranging from 0.06 to 23.3 × 1018 α-events g−1) were studied using polarized reflection infrared spectroscopy. The experimental results show that α-decay damage leads to a gradual decrease in reflectivity and a loss of anisotropy of IR spectra. Recrystallization of damaged zircon is found as a multi-stage process with a strong dep...

Alpha decay of 0 excited states

The one-level B-matrix approach is used to calculate alpha decay widths for several low-lying 0+, 2+, and 4+ excited states of the 0 nucleus, The interior wave functions are calculated within the ZBM (pqy2, d5rq, sq12) shell-model space with various effective interactions. The exterior wave functions are calculated from an n+ C folding model potential obtained with the M3Y interaction. A new me...