Theoretical Calculations of Properties of Rare-Earth Alpha Emitters

New nuclear-structure calculations using a Gaussian residual force in a BCS treatment for the proton system of the 82-neutron nuclei are presented. Comparisons of theoretical binding energies with experimental odd-even mass differences, and trends of alpha-decay energies are made. The best agreement with experimental energies is obtained when a force strength 10% stronger than that deduced from low-energy $p-p$ scattering is used. The wave functions are used for theoretical alpha-decay-rate calculations, and some insight into the decrease of reduced width near the subshell $Z=64\mathrm{}$ is obtained.