Theories of proton emission

Proton emission studies are presently the focal point of nuclear structure as well as nuclear reaction investigations in rare nuclei. Theoretical approaches to investigate the properties of such nuclei by using proton emission are reviewed. We analyse time-dependent and stationary formalisms within adiabatic and non-adiabatic methods. We investigate and compare the use of resonant Gamow states within coupled channels, R-matrix and distorded wave approaches. We give a description of odd–even as well as odd–odd proton emitters using axially symmetric or triaxial potentials. The emission to excited states of the daughter nucleus and angular distribution of the emitted proton is discussed. The status of numerical applications for both spherical and deformed approaches is reviewed. The importance of proton emission in analysing the properties of nuclear matter under exotic conditions is emphasized. In the appendices we give all technical details necessary to compute the observables connected with proton emission.