Proton, alpha and cluster decay rates for nuclei with 52 <= Z <= 56 and 52<= N <= 60

For studying the rates of radioactive nuclei in various decay chains we pro pose an approach unifying the advantages nf the superfluid model fnr nucleo n clustering and of the classical model for resonance tunneling in many-par ticle systems. We discuss the theoretical bases and numerical approach for decay rate predictions for some highly unstable proton rich trans-tin nucle i. Information on structure and nuclear mass of some exotic nuclei not yet experimentally accessible have also been obtained from a detailed analysis of the p, alpha and cluster decay rates. It is shown that the Casten-type r ate systematics works very well in various schemes of valence nucleon numbe rs revealing similar decay properties for the nuclei with the same numbers of valence protons and neutrons above the Sn-100(50)50 and Pb-208(82)126 ma gic cores. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.