Analytic expressions for the proximity energy, the fusion process and the α emission

The entrance and exit channels through quasimolecular shapes are compatible with the experimental data on fusion, light nucleus and alpha emissions when the proximity energy is taken into account. Analytic expressions allowing to determine rapidly this proximity energy are presented as well as formulas for the fusion barrier heights and radii and for the alpha emission barriers. Predictions for half-lives of exotic alpha emissions are proposed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.