Semi-analytic calculations of barrier penetration and alpha particle preformation probabilities

Abstract

An improved semi-analytic approach for the barrier penetration probability is developed in the framework of the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin approximation. It is used to calculate the α-decay half-life, assault frequency and α-preformation probability for many radioactive nuclei in the range Z = 52–99. Calculations are also extended to the super heavy region with Z = 100–120. Results are compared with the experimental data and some other recent studies. This approach achieves a better agreement with the experimental data than many other models. A strong correlation is found between the experimental decay half-life and the calculated penetration probability, assault frequency and preformation probability. Therefore, this approach achieves both reasonable accuracy and good consistency with the expected nuclear physical observations.