Consistent Theory of Alpha-Decay

Abstract

In the framework of the Goldberger–Watson decay theory, we consider the a-decay of nuclei as a transition between the initial bound state of the nucleus and scattering states of the continuum spectrum with a-particle. The scattering wave functions for the a-decay with arbitrary orbital angular momentum are derived in the quasiclassical approximation. The a-particle is described by the square-integrable wave packet formed by these functions, whose amplitude exponentially grows outside the nucleus up to the wave front. The Moshinsky’s distortions of the a-wave front are analyzed. The derived general expression for the decay rate is approximated by the quasiclassical formula.