A comprehensive study of decay modes associated with Pb isotopes

TL;DR

This study evaluates decay modes of Pb isotopes using empirical formulas and theoretical models, successfully reproducing known data and predicting unknown decay modes, with implications for cluster emission from superheavy nuclei.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive approach combining empirical and theoretical methods to analyze Pb isotope decay modes and predicts potential cluster emission pathways.

Findings

Empirical formulas accurately reproduce experimental half-lives.

Predicted decay modes for unknown Pb isotopes.

Identified $^{208}$Pb as a key daughter in cluster emission.

Abstract

Decay modes in Pb isotopes within the range 176$\leq$A$\leq$266 are investigated by the calculation of half-lives using several empirical formulas. These formulas along with various theoretical treatments are first tested to reproduce experimental half-lives and known decay modes of Pb isotopes, which are in consequence applied to estimate half-lives and decay modes of unknown Pb isotopes. A comparison between $\alpha$-decay and weak-decay from the stable to drip-line isotopes is canvassed which leads to the excellent match with experimental data and applicability of applied empirical formulas. In addition, the full chain of Pb isotopes is probed as potential daughter candidates of cluster emission from superheavy nuclei which ensued the predominant role of $^{208}$Pb and nearby isotopes in probable cluster emission.