Theoretical examination of cluster decay of neutron-deficient Barium isotopes using the B3Y-Fetal NN interaction

This work critically re-examines the cluster decay prospects of [Formula: see text]Ba isotopes using the B3Y-Fetal nucleon–nucleon (NN) interaction. Using the Preformed Cluster Model (PCM) within the WKB approximation, systematic calculations of penetration probabilities, preformation factors, and half-lives are performed. Wherever applicable, the analysis incorporates deformations ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) of both the cluster and the daughter nucleus and evaluates the impact of the neck-length parameter [Formula: see text]. Our findings reveal that the B3Y-Fetal NN interaction exhibits enhanced surface attraction, permitting tunneling with a smaller neck-length ([Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]fm) compared to M3Y and R3Y NN interactions. The predictions of the B3Y-Fetal NN interaction for [Formula: see text]Ba [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]Sn + [Formula: see text]C are found to agree with the available experimental lower limit. Higher-multipole deformations are found to significantly increase half-lives, particularly when the daughter nucleus is deformed.