Neutron and proton shell closure in the superheavy region via cluster radioactivity in <Superscript>280–314</Superscript>116 isotopes

Based on the concept of cold valley in fission and fusion, the radioactive decay of superheavy^280–314116 nuclei was studied taking Coulomb and proximity potentials as the interacting barrier. It is found that the inclusion of proximity potential does not change the position of minima but minima become deeper which agrees with the earlier findings of Gupta and co-workers. In addition to alpha particle minima, the other deepest minima occur for ⁸Be, ^12,14C clusters. In the fission region two deep regions are found each consisting of several comparable minima, the first region centred on ²⁰⁸Pb and the second is around ¹³²Sn. The cluster decay half-lives and other characteristics are computed for various clusters ranging from alpha particle to ⁷⁰Ni. The computed half-lives for alpha decay match with the experimental values and with the values calculated using Viola-Seaborg-Sobiczewski (VSS) systematic. The plots connecting computed Q values and half-lives against neutron number of daughter nuclei were studied for different clusters and it is found that the next neutron shell closures occur at N = 162, 172 and 184. Isotopic and isobaric mass parabolas are studied for various cluster emissions and minima of parabola indicate neutron shell closure at N = 162, 184 and proton shell closure at Z = 114. Our study shows that ₁₆₂²⁷⁶114 is the deformed doubly magic and ₁₈₄²⁹⁸114 is the spherical doubly magic nuclei.      

Stability of <Superscript>244–260</Superscript>Fm isotopes against alpha and cluster radioactivity

Taking Coulomb and proximity potentials as the interacting barrier we have studied the cold valley in the radioactive decay of ^244–260Fm isotopes. It is found that in addition to alpha particle minima, other minima occur at S, Ar and Ca clusters. We have computed the half-lives and other characteristics of different clusters emitted from these parents treating parent, daughter and emitted cluster as spheres. Our study reveals that most of these parents are unstable against alpha and heavy cluster (⁴⁶Ar, ^48,50Ca) emissions and stable against light cluster emission, except ⁸Be from ^244–248Fm isotopes. The most probable clusters from these parents are predicted to be ⁴⁶Ar, ^48,50Ca which indicate the role of doubly or near doubly magic clusters (Z = 20, N = 28) and also stress the role of doubly magic ²⁰⁸Pb daughter. The computed half-lives for alpha decay are in good agreement with the experimental data. It is found that the presence of neutron excess in the parent nuclei slows down the cluster decay process. The effect of quadrupole (β ₂) and hexadecapole (β ₄) deformations of parent and fragments on half-lives are also studied. It is found that inclusion of β ₂ and β ₄ reduces the height and shape of the barrier (increases barrier penetrability) and hence the half-life decreases.     

Cold valleys in the radioactive decay of <Superscript>248–254</Superscript>Cf isotopes

Based on the concept of cold valley in cold fission and fusion, we have investigated the cluster decay process in ^248–254Cf isotopes. In addition to alpha particle minima, other deep minima occur for S, Ar and Ca clusters. It is found that inclusion of proximity potential does not change the position of minima but minima become deeper. Taking Coulomb and proximity potential as interacting barrier for post-scission region, we computed half-lives and other characteristics for various clusters from these parents. Our study reveals that these parents are stable against light clusters and unstable against heavy clusters. Computed half-lives for alpha decay agree with experimental values within two orders of magnitude. The most probable clusters from these parents are predicted to be ⁴⁶Ar, ^48,50Ca which indicate the role of doubly or near doubly magic clusters in cluster radioactivity. Odd A clusters are found to be favorable for emission from odd A parents. Cluster decay model is extended to symmetric region and it is found that symmetric fission is also probable which stresses the role of doubly or near doubly magic ¹³²Sn nuclei. Geiger-Nuttal plots were studied for various clusters and are found to be linear with varying slopes and intercepts.      

Decay of heavy and superheavy nuclei

We present here, an overview and progress of the theoretical works on the isomeric state α decay, α decay fine structure of even–even, even–odd, odd–even and odd–odd nuclei, a study on the feasibility of observing α decay chains from the isotopes of the superheavy nuclei Z = 115 in the range 271 ≤A ≤ 294 and the isotopes of Z = 117 in the range 270 ≤A ≤ 301, within the Coulomb and proximity potential model for deformed nuclei (CPPMDN). The computed half-lives of the favoured and unfavoured α decay of nuclei in the range 67 ≤Z ≤ 91 from both the ground state and isomeric state, are in good agreement with the experimental data and the standard deviation of half-life is found to be 0.44. From the α fine structure studies done on various ranges of nuclei, it is evident that, for nearly all the transitions, the theoretical values show good match with the experimental values. This reveals that CPPMDN is successful in explaining the fine structure of even–even, even–odd, odd–even and odd–odd nuclei. Our studies on the α decay of the superheavy nuclei ^271?294115 and ^270?301117 predict 4 α chains consistently from ^284,285,286115 nuclei and 5α chains and 3α chains consistently from ^288?291117 and ²⁹²117, respectively. We thus hope that these studies on ^284?286115 and ^288?292117 will be a guide to future experiments.     

Search for decay modes of heavy and superheavy nuclei

Spontaneous fission(SF) with a new formula based on a liquid drop model is proposed and used in the calculation of the SF half-lives of heavy and superheavy nuclei(Z = 90–120). The predicted half-lives are in agreement with the experimental SF half-lives. The half-lives of decay(AD) for the same nuclei are obtained by using the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin(WKB) method together with Bohr-Sommerfeld(BS) quantization condition considering the isospin-dependent effects for the cosh potential. The decay modes and branching ratios of superheavy nuclei(Z =104-118) with experimental decay modes are obtained, and the modes are compared with the experimental ones and with the predictions found in the literature. Although some nuclei have predicted decay modes that are different from their experimental decay modes, decay modes same as the experimental ones are predicted for many nuclei. The SF and AD half-lives, branching ratios, and decay modes are obtained for superheavy nuclei(Z = 119–120) with unknown decay modes and compared with the predictions obtained in a previous study. The present results provide useful information for future experimental studies performed on both the AD and SF of superheavy nuclei.     

可能合成的超重核的alpha衰变能和半衰期

本文考察和研究了将来可能在实验上合成的超重新元素和新核素的基态性质。研究的重点主要放在原子核的alpha衰变能和半衰期。详细比较和讨论了不同理论模型计算的alpha衰变能和半衰期。通过这些计算和比较,从理论上提出了将来在实验上比较容易合成的超重新元素和新核素的性质。理论计算结果可为将来的超重核实验提供理论参考。     

Alpha decay energies and half-lives for possibly synthesized superheavy elements

We investigate the ground state properties of some superheavy nuclei, which may be synthesized in future experiments. Special emphases are placed on the alpha decay energies and half-lives. The alpha decay energies and half-lives from different theoretical models are compared and discussed comprehensively. Through these calculations and comparisons, the optimal superheavy elements to be synthesized in future experiments are proposed theoretically.     

Exotic decay in cerium isotopes

Half life for the emission of exotic clusters like ⁸Be, ¹²C, ¹⁶O, ²⁰Ne, ²⁴Mg and ²⁸Si are computed taking Coulomb and proximity potentials as interacting barrier and many of these are found well within the present upper limit of measurement. These results lie very close to those values reported by Shanmugam et al using their cubic plus Yukawa plus exponential model (CYEM). It is found that ¹²C and ¹⁶O emissions from ¹¹⁶Ce and ¹⁶O from ¹¹⁸Ce are most favorable for measurement (T _1/2<10¹⁰ s). Lowest half life time for ¹⁶O emission from ¹¹⁶Ce stress the role of doubly magic ¹⁰⁰Sn daughter in exotic decay. Geiger-Nuttall plots were studied for different clusters and are found to be linear. Inclusion of proximity potential will not produce much deviation to linear nature of Geiger-Nuttall plots. It is observed that neutron excess in the parent nuclei slow down the exotic decay process. These findings support the earlier observations of Gupta and collaborators using their preformed cluster model (PCM).     

A self-consistent mean-field study of Z = 120 nuclei and α-decay chains of 292,298,299,300,304120 isotopes

A self-consistent mean-field investigation is done to test the model accuracy, model dependence, and the dependence on different model parameters in the study of superheavy nuclei. This is done within the self-consistent mean-field models-the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB), and the Relativistic-Hartree-Bogoliubov (RHB) with density-dependent couplings. A systematic comparison is made with experimental data, as well as with the macro-microscopic Finite Range Droplet Model(FRDM). The bulk ground state properties and the microscopic structure of Z=120 superheavy nuclei are investigated. Further investigation is made of α-decay series for the five isotopes ^{292,298,299,300,304}120 of Z=120 nuclei. A spontaneous fission investigation is done to account the number of α-decay before spontaneous fission starts. The experimental data available for α-decay energies and half-lives are produced reasonably. The RHB model with NL3* parameter set, and with ImSahu and UNIV2 formula to calculate the α-decay half-lives is found to be the best suited for accurately predicting the ground state properties and the α-decay half-lives of the superheavy nuclei.     

Possible α decay chains from isotopes of superheavy element 120

We investigate the α decay half-lives of even-Z superheavy nuclei up to Z = 120 by the modified two-potential approach. Based on the density-dependent cluster model, the α daughter potential is obtained from the double folding integral, taking into account the effect of nuclear deformation. A reasonable formula related with the fissility parameter and the fission barrier height, is applied to evaluate the spontaneous fission half-lives of the studied nuclei. After the performance of the competition between α decay and spontaneous fission, possible α decay chains are proposed in pursuit of being useful for the future experiment.     

Be,Li, He and H decay half-lives at low excitation energy

The Be, Li, He and H decay half-lives of slightly excited nuclei have been determined within a tunneling process through a potential barrier calculated from a generalized liquid drop model and quasimolecular shapes. Analytic formulae allowing to obtain rapidly these different partial half-lives are proposed. For a given decay they depend only on the mass and charge numbers of the emitter, the Q value and the excitation energy.     

Effects of shell correction on α decay properties

The shell correction effects on the α decay properties of heavy and superheavy nuclei have been studied in a macroscopic-microscopic manner. The macroscopic part is constructed from the generalized liquid drop model(GLDM), whereas the microscopic part, namely, the shell correction energy, brings about certain effects on the potential barriers and half-lives under a WKB approximation, which is emphasized in this work. The results show that the shell effects play a significant role in the estimation of the α decay half-lives within the actinide region.Predictions of the α decay half-lives are then generated for superheavy nuclei, which will provide useful information for future experiments.     

Synthesis of superheavy nuclei in 48Ca+244Pu interactions

This article reports the results of experiments aimed at producing hypothetical long-lived superheavy elements located near the spherical-shell closures with Z≥114 and N≥72. For the synthesis of superheavy nuclei, we used a combination of neutron-rich reaction partners, with a ²⁴⁴Pu target and a ⁴⁸Ca projectile. The sensitivity of the present experiment exceeded by more than two orders of magnitude previous attempts at synthesizing superheavy nuclides in reactions of ⁴⁸Ca projectiles with actinide targets. We observed new decay sequences of genetically linked alpha decays terminated by spontaneous fission. The high measured alpha-particle energies, together with the long decay times and spontaneous fission terminating the chains, offer evidence for the decay of nuclei with high atomic numbers. The decay properties of the synthesized nuclei are consistent with the consecutive alpha decays originating from the parent nuclides ^288,289114, produced in the 3n-and 4n-evaporation channels with cross sections of about a picobarn. The present observations can be considered experimental evidence for the existence of the “island of stability” of superheavy elements and are discussed in terms of modern theoretical approaches.     

Cluster radioactivity leading to doubly magic <Superscript>100</Superscript>Sn and <Superscript>132</Superscript>Sn daughters

Decay of neutron-deficient ^{128 − 137}Gd parents emitting ⁴He to ³²S clusters are studied within the Coulomb and proximity potential model. The predicted half-lives are compared with other models and most of the values are well within the present experimental limit for measurements (T _1/2 < 10³⁰ s). The lowest T _1/2 value for ²⁸Si emission from ¹²⁸Gd indicates the role of doubly magic ¹⁰⁰Sn daughter in cluster decay process. It is also found that neutron excess in the parent nuclei slows down the cluster decay process. Geiger–Nuttal plots for all clusters are found to be linear with different slopes and intercepts. The α-decay half-lives of ^{148 − 152}Gd parents are computed and are in agreement with experimental data. The role of doubly magic ¹³²Sn daughter in cluster decay process is also examined for various neutron-rich Ba, Ce, Nd, Sm and Gd parents emitting clusters ranging from ⁴He to ³²Si. Alpha-like structures are most probable in the decays leading to ¹⁰⁰Sn, while non-α-like structures are probable in the decays leading to ¹³²Sn. The neutron–proton asymmetry in parent and daughter nuclei is responsible for the reduced decay rate in the decay leading to ¹³²Sn.     

Stability of Cf isotopes against alpha and cluster radioactivity

Stability of ^248–254Cf nuclei against alpha and cluster emissions is studied within our Coulomb and proximity potential model (CPPM). It is found that these nuclei are stable against light clusters (except alpha particles) and unstable against heavy cluster (A₂≥40)$(A_2\ge 40)$ emissions. For heavy cluster emissions the daughter nuclei lead to doubly magic ²⁰⁸Pb or the neighbouring one. The effects of quadrupole and hexadecapole deformations of parent nuclei, daughter nuclei and emitted cluster on half lives are also studied. The computed alpha decay half life values (including quadrupole deformation β₂${\beta }_2$) are in close agreement with experimental data. Inclusion of quadrupole deformation reduces the height and width of the barrier (increases the barrier penetrability) and hence half life decreases.     

Fission process of superheavy nuclei

The process of fusion-fission of superheavy nuclei with Z=102?122 formed in the reactions with ²²Ne, ²⁶Mg, ⁴⁸Ca, ⁵⁸Fe and ⁸⁶Kr ions at energies near and below the Coulomb barrier has been studied. The experiments were carried out at the U-400 accelerator of the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (JINR) using a time-of-flight spectrometer of fission fragments CORSET and a neutron multi-detector DEMON. As a result of the experiments, mass and energy distributions of fission fragments, fission and quasi-fission cross sections, multiplicities of neutrons and gamma rays and their dependence on the mechanism of formation and decay of compound superheavy systems have been studied.     

New approach for alpha decay half-lives of superheavy nuclei and applicability of WKB approximation

The α decay half-lives of recently synthesized superheavy nuclei (SHN) are calculated by applying a new approach which estimates them with the help of their neighbors based on some simple formulas. The estimated half-life values are in very good agreement with the experimental ones, indicating the reliability of the experimental observations and measurements to a large extent as well as the predictive power of our approach. The second part of this work is to test the applicability of the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) approximation for the quantum mechanical tunneling probability. We calculated the accurate barrier penetrability for alpha decay along with proton and cluster radioactivity by numerically solving Schrödinger equation. The calculated results are compared with those of the WKB method to find that WKB approximation works well for the three physically analogical decay modes.     

Alpha decay and cluster decay of some neutron-rich actinide nuclei

Nuclei in the actinide region are good in exhibiting cluster radioactivity. In the present work, the half-lives of α-decay and heavy cluster emission from certain actinide nuclei have been calculated using cubic plus Yukawa plus exponential model (CYEM). Our model has a cubic potential for the overlapping region which is smoothly connected by a Yukawa plus exponential potential for the region after separation. The computed half-lives are compared with those of other theoretical models and are found to be in good agreement with each other. In this work, we have also studied the deformation effects on half-lives of cluster decay. These deformation effects lower the half-life values and it is also found that the neutron-rich parent nuclei slow down the cluster decay process. Geiger–Nuttal plots for various clusters are found to be linear and most of the emitted clusters are α-like nuclei.     

Woods-Saxon-Gaussian potential and alpha-cluster structures of alpha + closed shell nuclei

The Woods-Saxon-Gaussian(WSG) potential is proposed as a new phenomenological potential to systematically describe the level scheme, electromagnetic transitions, and alpha-decay half-lives of the alpha-cluster structures in various alpha + closed shell nuclei. It modifies the original Woods–Saxon(WS) potential with a shifted Gaussian factor centered at the nuclear surface. The free parameters in the WSG potential are determined by reproducing the correct level scheme of ~(212) Po=~(208) Pb+α. It is found that the resulting WSG potential matches the M3 Y double-folding potential at the surface region and makes corrections to the inner part of the cluster-core potential. It was also determined that the WSG potential, with nearly identical parameters to that of ~(212) Po(except for a rescaled radius), could also be used to describe alpha-cluster structures in ~(20) Ne =~(16) O+α and ~(44) Ti =~(40) Ca+α. In all three cases, the calculated values of the level schemes, electromagnetic transitions, and alpha-decay half-lives agree with the experimental data, which indicates that the WSG potential could indeed capture many important features of the alpha-cluster structures in alpha + closed shell nuclei. This study is a useful complement to the existing cluster-core potentials in literature. The Gaussian form factor centered at the nuclear surface might also help to improve our understanding of the alpha-cluster formation, which occurs in the same general region.