Theoretical possibilities for exotic cluster emissions from ${}^{249}\mathrm{Cf}$ and ${}^{252}\mathrm{Cf}$ parents are explored on the basis of the very much used preformed cluster model of one of us (R.K.G.) and collaborators. The calculated α-decay half-life time for ${}^{252}\mathrm{Cf}$ match the experiments exactly and the same for ${}^{249}\mathrm{Cf}$ within an order of 3. The most probable heavy cluster decay for both the parents is predicted to be ${}^{46}\mathrm{Ar}$ or ${}^{48}\mathrm{Ca},$ with the predicted decay half-life times far more than the presently available experimental upper limiting values. In other words, the predicted heavy-ion emission probabilities for both the parents are so small that there seem to be very little chance for their exotic cluster decays to be observed in the very near future.

• Received 14 April 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.60.064316