Excitation Energy Dependence of Level-density Parameters and Decay Properties of Heavy Nuclei

Key words: 
• level density parameter /
• excitation energy /
• fission /
• stochastic model

Abstract: Based on the stochastic approach to fission, we have demonstrated that the ratio of level-density parameters at saddle to that at ground-state configuration, af/an, plays a significant role in the decay of an excited nucleus. It modifies not only the sensitivity of evaporation residue cross section and its spin distributions
to nuclear friction, but also the dissipation properties of hot nuclei. Furthermore, we find that af/an as a function of excitation energy appreciably affects the evolution of excitation energy at scission with the friction strength. A consequence of a change of af /an with E* on the stability of superheavy nuclei and on modelling de-excitation processes of spallation reactions is indicated.