Alpha decay rates are usually modeled as the tunneling probability multiplied by the probability of alpha particle preformation in the parent nucleus. It is the strong overlap of the valence proton and neutron wave functions just beyond the N=Z=50 nucleus of 100Sn that enhances this preformation and allows this light region of alpha-decay.
When the rp-process path intersects with this region, the proton fusion rates must compete with alpha decay, and this competition is expected to terminate the rp-process. Alpha decay rates vary many orders of magnitude with energy and preformation and so the particulars of this competition must be experimentally derived. In this talk I will discuss experimental work on alpha decay in the N=Z+1 nuclei down to 101Sn.
Coffee and cookies before the presentation at 3:50 pm, and refreshments after the presentation will both be served in Room 128.