Microscopic Calculation of the Beta-Decay of Medium-Mass and Heavy Nuclei up to the R-Process Path

Abstract

Beta-decay half-lives are calculated microscopically for the first time up to the r-process path (for /sup 89/Rb to /sup 119/Rb). The calculated lifetimes are shorter by an order of magnitude than those predicted by the gross theory used at present in r-process calculations. This could solve the long-standing problem of reproducing the positions of the r-process abundance peaks. Calculations of the beta strength function S/sub ..beta../ for the /sup 250/ /sup 252/ /sup 256/Np isotopes show that the shape of S/sub ..beta../ will strongly affect the decay back from the r-process path to the valley of ..beta..-stability of beta-delayed fission.