Post-formation in alpha emission from nuclei
arXiv:1907.05574 · doi:10.1051/epjconf/202022701001
Abstract
We propose a novel mechanism to explain nuclear decay by emission of an alpha particle. We show that the famous Geiger-Nuttall law can be explained by post-forming an alpha particle outside the range of the nuclear interaction with the daughter nucleus. This contrasts with the commonly accepted mechanism of first alpha particle pre-formation followed by emission through barrier penetration. We predict that the post-formation mechanism is more likely to occur for alpha-particles with higher energy.
12 pages, 3 figures