Semi-gross theory of nuclear β-decay

The gross theory of β-decay is refined to take into account shell effects of the parent nuclei, and the resulting theory is named semi-gross theory. In this theory, the one-particle energy distribution in the parent nucleus is taken to have structures, and the one-particle strength function is assumed to depend on the quantum numbers of the initial state of the decaying nucleon, β-decay (partial) half-lives are calculated for 1659 nuclides, and the results are compared with experimental data as well as with those calculated by the gross theory. The β-decay strength functions are shown for two selected nuclides, and briefly discussed. These numerical studies confirm that the semi-gross theory includes some part of the shell effects correctly, although there still remain deviations of the theoretical results from experimental data, which should, at least partly, be due to shell effects of the daughter nuclei. Comparison of the present results with microscopic theories shows that the overall accuracy of the semi-gross theory is comparable with those of the microscopic theories.