Theoretical investigation of heavy cluster decay from Z=118 and 120 isotopes: A search for an empirical formula in superheavy region

Abstract

Various decay modes in superheavy nuclei have been of significant interest among which cluster radioactivity has recently gained sizable attention. The α-decay being a predominant decay mode in the superheavy region, the accurate determination of cluster decay half-lives is also crucial in this region as it has tremendous potential to be explored as one of the major decay channels. The usability of the Royer analytical formula [Nuclear Physics A 683 (2001) 182], which is based on the asymmetric fission model, has been investigated for the cluster and α decay in superheavy region, by comparing it with several other (semi)empirical/analytical formulas. After fitting the formula on around 100 cluster-decay data and around 423 α-decay data, the refitted Royer formula (RRF) is found to be very robust which is able to estimate the cluster decay and α-decay half-lives with good accuracy. In fact, a comparison of the half-lives of both the decay modes using the same formula points towards a substantial chance of heavy cluster (Kr and Sr) decay from various isotopes of Z=118 and 120. Hence, the formula proposed in this study works fairly well for the estimation of cluster decay half-lives in superheavy regions where most empirical formulas fail to match with the half-lives from the various established theories.