A simple approach to $\alpha$-decay fine structure

TL;DR

This paper introduces a straightforward analytical method to evaluate alpha-decay rates to excited states in nuclei, accurately reproducing experimental branching ratios using a simplified potential approximation.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, simple analytical approach to calculate alpha-decay transition rates to excited states, improving ease of computation while maintaining accuracy.

Findings

Reproduces experimental branching ratios effectively

Provides an analytical expression for penetration probability

Simplifies the evaluation of alpha-decay rates

Abstract

We propose a simple method to evaluate $\alpha$-transition rates to low-lying excited states in even-even nuclei. For this a realistic $\alpha$-daughter double folding interaction is approximated by a parabola in the region where the decay process takes place. This allows us to evaluate the penetration probability analytically. The main experimental features of branching ratios to excited states are reproduced by this simple approach.