α and 2α decay of nuclei in the region 94≤Z≤101 using the modified generalized liquid drop model

Abstract

The \ensuremath{\alpha} decay and $2\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay of various isotopes of Pu, Am, Cm, Bk, Cf, Es, Fm, and Md in the mass region $A=218$ to 273 are investigated using the modified generalized liquid drop model (MGLDM) and universal decay law. The comparison of experimental alpha decay half-lives with the predicted half-lives proves the consistency of our calculations. As a result we broadened our investigation to also include a study of double alpha decay of these isotopes. There is a considerable interest in performing research on double alpha decay, as seen by the proposal submitted at CERN to investigate the double alpha radioactivity of $^{224}\mathrm{Ra}$. In view of this, the decay half-lives of most probable $2\ensuremath{\alpha}$ emitters, calculated using MGLDM by employing different preformation factors, are presented which can be beneficial for upcoming experimental investigations on this topic. A peak or dip in \ensuremath{\alpha} and $2\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay half-life is witnessed which indicates the stability of parent or daughter isotopes correspondingly. Minimum and maximum half-lives for decay are observed when the daughter and parent nuclei, respectively, contain a magic number of neutrons. From our study, 126 and 162 are found as magic/semimagic numbers. A linear plot is obtained while plotting ${\mathrm{log}}_{10}{T}_{1/2}$ of all the isotopes against $Z{Q}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$, which emphasizes that our estimations are reliable.