Probing shape coexistence by alpha decays to 0(+) states

• We analyze the alpha-decay fine structure to excited 0(2)(+) states in Hg and Rn isotopes. These states are described as minima in the potential energy surface (PES) provided by the standard deformed Woods-Saxon plus pairing approach. We also investigate alpha decay from the excited state P(0(2)(+)) in the parent nucleus by evaluating the corresponding hindrance factor (HF). By analyzing the experimental HF's we find the remarkable property that the ground and excited states D(0(1)(+)) and D(0(2)(+)) in the daughter nuclei are occupied with almost equal probabilities if there is no excited P(0(+)) states in the parent nucleus. Moreover, if there exists an excited state P(0(2)(+)) then the occupation probability of this state is 25%.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Annan fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Other Physics Topics (hsv//eng)

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ref (subject category)

art (subject category)