Cold valleys in the radioactive decay of 248-254Cf isotopes
R K BIJU1, SABINA SAHADEVAN1, K P
SANTHOSH1,* and
1P.G. Department of Physics and Research Centre,
Payyanur 670 327,
2Department of Physics,
*Corresponding author. E-mail: kpsanthosh@eth.net;
kps@calicutcity.com
Abstract. Based
on the concept of cold valley in cold fission and
fusion, we have investigated the
cluster decay process in
$^{248-254}$Cf
isotopes. In addition to alpha particle minima, other
deep minima occur for S, Ar and Ca clusters. It is found that
inclusion of proximity potential
does not change the position of
minima but minima become deeper.
Taking Coulomb and proximity
potential as interacting barrier
for post-scission region, we
computed half-lives and other
characteristics for various clusters
from these parents. Our study
reveals that these parents are stable
against light clusters and unstable
against heavy clusters. Computed
half-lives for alpha decay agree
with experimental values within two
orders of magnitude. The most
probable clusters from these parents
are predicted to be $^{46}$Ar, $^{48,50}$Ca which indicate the role
of doubly or near doubly magic
clusters in cluster radioactivity. Odd
A clusters are found to be
favorable for emission from odd A parents.
Cluster decay model is extended to symmetric region and it
is found
that symmetric fission is also
probable which stresses the role of
doubly or near doubly magic
$^{132}$Sn nuclei. Geiger--Nuttal
plots
were studied for various clusters
and are found to be linear with
varying slopes and intercepts.
Keywords. Cluster decay; alpha decay.
PACS Nos 23.70.+j; 25.85.Ca; 27.90.+b