Systematical calculation of α decay half-lives by density-dependent cluster model Original Research Article

Systematical calculations on the α decay half-lives of nuclei are carried out in a new cluster model (density-dependent cluster model) where the effective potential between α cluster and daughter nucleus is obtained from the double folded integral of the renormalized M3Y nucleon–nucleon interaction with the density distributions of the α particle and the daughter nucleus. The model reproduces the experimental half-lives within a factor of 3 for many nuclei. The model also works well for new superheavy elements which are the current interests of nuclear physics and chemistry. This successful description of α decay data is due to the correct incorporation of the low-density behavior of the effective nucleon–nucleon interaction in the popular M3Y potential. The effective α-core potential of the density-dependent cluster model is analyzed and discussed.