Fine structure in alpha decay of even-even trans-lead nuclei: An insufficiently exploited spectroscopic tool

The experimental values of both branching ratios and hindrance factors for the alpha decay of even-even trans-lead nuclei, corresponding to the ${2}_{1}^{+}$, ${4}_{1}^{+}$, and ${6}_{1}^{+}$ excited states in the daughter nucleus, are examined within the valence correlation scheme. Existing calculations do not reproduce certain conspicuous features of these data in the deformed nuclei region, thus leaving open the question of what details of nuclear structure in this region are responsible for these effects.