Quantization-constrained parameter method for studying and cluster decay
Phys. Rev. C 113, 044608 – Published 9 April, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/tznl-jfx3
Abstract
We propose a Quantization-Constrained Parameter Method (QCPM) for determining the Woods-Saxon (WS) potential depth and diffuseness in studies of and cluster decay half-lives. In this approach, the parameters are derived analytically by imposing the Bohr-Sommerfeld (BS) quantization condition, thereby eliminating the need for parameter fitting. The calculated diffuseness values exhibit a strong dependence on nuclear shell structure. The reliability of the QCPM-derived WS potential is validated through optical model analyses of elastic scattering data. The resulting and cluster decay half-lives show good agreement with experimental values. Our results highlight the significant role of daughter-nucleus deformation in improving the consistency between theoretical predictions and experimental data. In addition, we introduce a modified Woods-Saxon (mWS) potential that effectively approximates the surface behavior of folding potentials incorporating the nuclear medium effect. This modification leads to closer agreement with the measured half-lives. Free of adjustable parameters such as and , the QCPM enhances the predictive power of phenomenological potentials for and cluster decay studies.