Theory of Nuclear Disintegration

Let the potential for an a-particle, which has been emitted from a nucleus of atomic number Z and is therefore in the field of the residual nucleus Z — 2, be F(r). For great distances this is the Coulomb potential, i.e. 

According to Laue, the frequency A of the emission can be split up into two factors. We think of the a-particle as oscillating to and fro in the crater, so that it strikes the wall n times per second. At 

The order of magnitude of n we can take to be vj2rQ, where v is the yelocity of the a-particle the latter in its turn can be determined by putting the wave-length h/tyiv of the associated de Broglie wave equal to 2r. We thus find 

To calculate p, we have to find a suitable solution of Sohrodinger s equation 

Eor r Tq, the function ifj will oscillat(, in some way or other for large values of r it will be a ])rogi essiv( wave. If the energy of the a-particle is E, the latter static will Ixi attained at about the distance where 

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