Branching ratios of α-decay to excited states of even-even nuclei

We make a systematic calculation on alpha-decay branching ratios to members of ground-state rotational band and to excited 0(+) states of even-even nuclei by a simple barrier penetration approach. The branching ratios to the excited states of daughter nucleus are determined by the alpha-decay energy, the angular momentum of alpha-particle, and the excitation probability of the daughter nucleus. Our calculation covers isotopic chains from Hg to Fm in the mass regions 180 < A < 202 and A >= 224. The calculated branching ratios of alpha-transitions are consistent with the experimental data. Some useful predictions are made for future experiments. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.