α-decay half-lives of uranium isotopes using a two-potential approach

Using three methods, the two-potential approach (TPA), the direct method, and the distorted-wave method, the decay widths of uranium isotopes were calculated. Wider ranges of application of the TPA were checked and independence of the decay width to the separation point, from the prebarrier position to the postbarrier position, was observed. The equivalence of the direct and the distorted-wave methods for spherical nuclei was discussed Simplified versions of the TPA and the direct method were used and satisfactory results for the TPA version and the same results for two forms of the direct method were obtained. By presenting different experimental half-lives with remarkable uncertainties, especially for lighter isotopes, the calculated preformation probabilities using the TPA bound wave function and the TPA decay width were compared and reasonable agreement was observed for favored transitions.