We present a formalism to describe proton emission from odd-odd nuclei based on a scatteringlike approach. Special emphasis is given to the case of transitions between states with different deformations. As an example we estimate the proton half-life of the odd-odd nucleus ${}^{58}\mathrm{Cu}$. Our calculations show that the change of deformation in the decay process has a significant influence on the half life. In addition, the angular momentum coupling of proton and neutron orbitals can result in an additional $K$ hindrance of the decay. To fully account for the observed half life in ${}^{58}\mathrm{Cu}$, we propose shape mixing of the final state.

• Received 14 January 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.68.054603