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-life and alpha particle energy, with a χν of 1.1. Qualitative investigation of modeling decay dynamics with the Bateman equations.