A model of α-decay consistent with α-reactions

Abstract

A new model of α-decay is presented which is consistent with such α-reactions as (p, α). Both the α-decay and the direct α-reaction suggest that with a certain probability α-particles exist in the nuclear surface. According to the current theories of α-decay the α formation probability turns out very small of the order of magnitude 10-4 while, from the analysis of (p, α) reactions the α probability is estimated to be of the order of magnitude of several times 0.1. Although there may be some difference in the physical meanings of the α probabilities in the two cases, there are enough reasons to believe they are of the same order of magnitude. In our model α-particles are assumed to be constantly formed within the nuclear matter and to go out into the nuclear surface where most of them are reflected back or destroyed and some of them go out into the outer space. Besides this specific mechanism, we have made use of as much experimental data as possible and we have succeeded to solve the above mentioned discrepancy and to explain some systematic tendencies in the α-decay isotopes on a unified basis. © 1961 Società Italiana di Fisica.