Systematics of the alpha Q values

The α Q values of even-even nuclei are analyzed in terms of the α- (nucleus A) separation energy. Assuming a simple Woods-Saxon potential with given diffuseness and radius parameters a and R, the potential depth is determined from the α Q value for each node quantum number N/sub r/. It is found that the depth obtained is generally a smooth function of A having a jump at the closed shell nucleus. It is also empirically found that the depth for closed shell plus α-particle-type nuclei is given by [4A/(A + 4)]V/sub n hyphenA/ for the N/sub r/'s appropriate for the shell model, and is consistent with intermediate-energy α-scattering data