The landscape of two-proton radioactivity

TL;DR

This paper uses advanced nuclear density functional theory to analyze two-proton radioactivity across the nuclear chart, predicting new candidates in heavier elements and exploring decay mode competition.

Contribution

It provides the first global theoretical analysis of 2p radioactivity, identifying potential candidates beyond strontium and examining decay mode competition.

Findings

Predicted 2p decay candidates in elements heavier than strontium

Identified competition between 2p emission and alpha decay

Alpha decay dominates above lead, with no measurable 2p candidates

Abstract

Ground-state two-proton (2p) radioactivity is a decay mode found in isotopes of elements with even atomic numbers located beyond the two-proton drip line. So far, this exotic process has been experimentally observed in a few light and medium-mass nuclides with Z less than or equal to 30. In this study, using state-of-the-art nuclear density functional theory, we globally analyze 2p radioactivity and for the first time identify 2p decay candidates in elements heavier than strontium. We predict a few cases where the competition between 2p emission and alpha decay may be observed. In nuclei above lead, the alpha decay mode is found to be dominating and no measurable candidates for the 2p radioactivity are expected.