Hindrances to the alpha decay and fission of high-K isomers.

Experimental results on the α decay and fission of high-K isomers are reviewed. Despite the sparse available information, it seems that there is hindrance to the α decay and fission processes from isomeric states relative to the same processes in the ground states. This may have profound consequences, especially for the creation and observation of super-heavy nuclei. To understand the hindrances to α decay and fission that arise when high-K isomers are involved, theoretical descriptions must reflect the pair-broken character of the states, which alters both the potential and inertial terms used in describing these fundamental processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]