Probabilities of delayed processes for nuclei involved in the r-process

Delayed fission, along with induced and spontaneous fission, is responsible for the suppression of the production of superheavy elements both during the r-process and after its completion. Beta-decay strength functions are required for calculating delayed fission. In the present study, respective strength functions are calculated by relying on the theory of finite Fermi systems and by predominantly employing nuclear masses and fission barriers predicted by a generalized Thomas-Fermi model. The probabilities for delayed fission and for the emission of delayed neutrons are calculated for a number of isotopes. On the basis of calculations performed in order to determine the probabilities for delayed processes, it is shown that some of the delayed-fission probabilities calculated thus far were substantially overestimated. The application of these new results to calculating the r-process may change substantially both the r-process path and the yields of superheavy nuclei.