$\alpha$ particle preformation in heavy nuclei and penetration probability

TL;DR

This paper investigates the microscopic features of alpha particle preformation and penetration probabilities in heavy nuclei, revealing the influence of shell closures and magic numbers on alpha decay processes.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of alpha preformation factors and penetration probabilities across a wide range of heavy nuclei, including newly observed superheavy elements.

Findings

Shell closure effects significantly influence alpha preformation.

Penetration probability varies greatly and mainly determines alpha decay half-life.

Nucleon number 126 is confirmed as a neutron magic number.

Abstract

The $\alpha$ particle preformation in the even-even nuclei from $^{108}$Te to $^{294}$118 and the penetration probability have been studied. The isotopes from Pb to U have been firstly investigated since the experimental data allow us to extract the microscopic features for each element. The assault frequency has been estimated using classical methods and the penetration probability from tunneling through the Generalized Liquid Drop Model (GLDM) potential barrier. The preformation factor has been extracted from experimental $\alpha$ decay energies and half-lives. The shell closure effects play the key role in the $\alpha$ preformation. The more the nucleon number is close to the magic numbers, the more the formation of $\alpha$ cluster is difficult inside the mother nucleus. The penetration probabilities reflect that 126 is a neutron magic number. The penetration probability range is very large compared to that of the preformation factor. The penetration probability determines mainly the $\alpha$ decay half-life while the preformation factor allows us to obtain information on the nuclear structure. The study has been extended to the newly observed heaviest nuclei.