Microscopic Description of 2α Decay in 212Po and 224Ra Isotopes

A microscopic calculation of half-lives for both the alpha and 2 alpha decays of Po-212 and Ra-224 is performed, using a self-consistent framework based on energy density functionals. A relativistic density functional and a separable pairing interaction of finite range are used to compute axially symmetric deformation energy surfaces as functions of quadrupole, octupole, and hexadecapole collective coordinates. Dynamical least-action paths are determined, that trace the alpha and 2 alpha emission from the equilibrium deformation to the point of scission. The calculated half-lives for the alpha decay of Po-212 and Ra-224 are in good agreement with data. A new decay mode, the symmetric 2 alpha emission, is predicted with half-lives of the order of those observed for cluster emission.

Automated summary

A microscopic calculation of half-lives for the alpha and 2 alpha decays of Po-212 and Ra-224 was performed using a self-consistent framework based on energy density functionals. The calculated half-lives for the alpha decay of Po-212 and Ra-224 are in good agreement with experimental data. A new decay mode, symmetric 2 alpha emission, with half-lives similar to cluster emission, was predicted.