Effect of properties of superheavy nuclei on their production and decay

Properties and stability of superheavy nuclei resulting from hot fusion are discussed. It is shown that the microscopic–macroscopic approach allows obtaining the closed proton shell at Z ≥ 120. Isotopic trends of K-isomeric states in superheavy nuclei are predicted. Evaporation residue cross sections in hot fusion reactions are calculated using the predicted properties of superheavy nuclei. Interruption of α decay chains by spontaneous fission is analyzed. Alpha decay chains through isomeric states are considered. Internal level densities in superheavy nuclei are microscopically calculated.     

Probable Decay Modes at Limits of Nuclear Stability of the Superheavy Nuclei

The modes of decay for the even–even isotopes of superheavy nuclei of Z = 118 and 120 with neutron number 160 ≤ N ≤ 204 are investigated in the framework of the axially deformed relativistic mean field model. The asymmetry parameter η and the relative neutron–proton asymmetry of the surface to the center (R _η ) are estimated from the ground state density distributions of the nucleus. We analyze the resulting asymmetry parameter η and the relative neutron–proton asymmetry R _η of the density play a crucial role in the mode(s) of decay and its half-life. Moreover, the excess neutron richness on the surface, facets a superheavy nucleus for β^? decays.     

Calculated properties of superheavy nuclei

Ground-state properties of the heaviest nuclei are analyzed within a macroscopic-microscopic approach. The main attention is paid to such properties as deformation, deformation energy, energy of the first rotational state 2⁺ of a nucleus, and the branching ratio of α decay to this 2⁺ state with respect to the decay to the ground state 0⁺. The analysis concerns the problem of experimental confirmation of theoretically predicted deformed shapes of superheavy nuclei situated in the region around the nucleus ²⁷⁰Hs. A large region of even-even nuclei with proton, Z=82–128, and neutron, N=126–190, numbers is considered.     

Predictions of decay modes for the superheavy nuclei most suitable for synthesis

The competition between α-decay and spontaneous fission of superheavy nuclei(SHN) is investigated by the generalized liquid drop model(GLDM) and the modified Swiatecki's formula respectively. The theoretical decay modes are in good agreement with the experimental results. Predictions are made for as-yet unobserved superheavy nuclei. The theoretical calculations show that the nuclei~(298)120,~(295)119,~(290)118,~(291)117,~(287)117,~(294)116,~(289)116,~(286)116,~(285)116,~(284)115,~(283)115,~(283)114,~(282)114,~(280)113,~(276)112,~(275)112,~(274)112,~(273)111,~(272)110,~(265)109 may be synthesized experimentally in the near future since they not only have relatively large predicted cross sections but can also be identified via α-decay chains.     

Synthesis of 292116 in the 248Cm + 48Ca reaction

We report on the observation of the first decay event of the new nuclide ²⁹²116 produced in an experiment devoted to the synthesis of Z=116 nuclei in the ²⁴⁸Cm + ⁴⁸Ca reaction. The implantation of a heavy recoil in the focal-plane detector was followed in 46.9 ms by an α particle with E _α=10.56MeV. The energies and decay times of the descendant nuclei are in agreement with those observed in the decay chains of the even-even isotope ²⁸⁸114, previously produced in the ²⁴⁴Pu + ⁴⁸Ca reaction. Thus, the first α decay should be attributed to the parent nuclide ²⁹²116 produced via the evaporation of four neutrons in the complete fusion of ²⁴⁸Cm and ⁴⁸Ca. The experiment is in progress at Flerov Laboratory for Nuclear Reactions (FLNR, JINR, Dubna).     

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.     

Synthesis and properties of even-even nuclei with Z=114−116 produced in 48Ca induced reactions

In the irradiation of targets made from enriched ²⁴⁴Pu and ²⁴⁸Cm isotopes with beam doses of 1.5×10¹⁹ and 2.3×10¹⁹, respectively, the detector array situated in the focal plane of the gas-filled separator registered heavy atoms of new elements undergoing sequential α decays terminated by spontaneous fission. The time of the decay chains is approximately 1 min. Decay properties of the synthesized nuclei are consistent with the consecutive α decays originating from the parent nuclides ²⁸⁸114 and ²⁹²116 produced with the cross section of about 0.5 picobarn. Comparison of T _SF and T _α values for the nuclei with Z=110 and 112 with those obtained earlier for more light isotopes of these elements points to an enhanced stability of heavy nuclei with an increase in the neutron number. The α-decay energies Q _α, measured experimentally in the chains $116 \underrightarrow {\alpha _1 } 114 \underrightarrow {\alpha _2 } 112 \underrightarrow {\alpha _3 } 110$ , are compared with-theoretical predictions of different nuclear models. From this it follows that the theoretical models predicting the decisive influence of the nuclear structure on the stability of superheavy elements are well-founded not only qualitatively but in some sense also quantitatively. Some preliminary data, obtained in the first experiment aimed at the synthesis of element 118 in the reaction ²⁴⁹Cf+⁴⁸Ca, are presented in the paper. The prospects of further investigations in the field of superheavy nuclei are discussed briefly.     

On the Possibility of Delayed Fission of Nuclei in the Region of Superheavy Transuranium Elements

Delayed fission of atomic nuclei was discovered in 1966. It is observed primarily in odd–odd nuclei for which the energy released in beta decay (K capture) is commensurate with the fission barrier in the nucleus formed after this process. Delayed fission was found in four nuclide regions: neutrondeficient isotopes in the Pb region, neutron-deficient isotopes in the Ac and Pa regions, and neutrondeficient and neutron-rich isotopes of transuranium elements. In the wake of investigations into the properties of isotopes of superheavy transuranium elements, numerous calculations were performed in order to determine the masses of new nuclei and to predict their decay properties. Explored and predicted properties of superheavy-element nuclides, where, for some odd–odd nuclei of transuranium elements, the K-capture energy is commensurate with the fission barriers in the corresponding daughter nuclei formed after K capture, are analyzed. Estimates of the delayed-fission probability are presented for some isotopes of elements whose charge number Z ranges from 103 to 107.     

Synthesis of superheavy nuclei in the reactions of 244Pu and 248Cm with 48Ca

This paper presents results of the experiments aimed at producing long-lived superheavy elements located near the spherical-shell closures with Z ⩾ 114 and N ⩾ 172 in the ²⁴⁴Pu + ⁴⁸Ca and ²⁴⁸Cm + ⁴⁸Ca reactions. The large measured α-particle energies of the newly observed nuclei, together with the long decay times and spontaneous fission terminating the chains, offer evidence of the decay of nuclei with high atomic numbers. The decay properties of the synthesized nuclei are consistent with the consecutive α-decays originating from the parent nuclides ^{288, 289}114 and ²⁹²116, produced in the 3n and 4n evaporation channels with cross-sections of about a picobarn. The present observations can be considered as experimental evidence of the existence of the “island of stability” of superheavy elements. Received: 21 March 2002 / Accepted: 16 May 2002 / Published online: 31 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: utyonkov@sungns.jinr.ru     

A systematic study of α-decay in superheavy nuclei using a Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov model

Predictions on the alpha decay and spontaneous fission of the superheavy nuclei in the range of Z = 106–118 have been systematically done within the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov model and different Skyrme type interactions. A comparison of the results of the current study with experimental values showed good agreement. This study was extended to unknown isotopes in the range of Z = 116–118. The calculated alpha decay half-lives are in the range of ${10}^{-5}$ to 10² s which lie within measurable values. To identify the long-lived isotopes in the mass region, spontaneous fission half-lives were performed using a semi-empirical formula. The results revealed that the isotopes ^{276,275,274,272,268}110, ^276,275,273111, ^282,280,279112, ^281,280,279113, ^284,283114, ²⁸⁶115, ²⁸⁹116, ^{296,295,292,291}117, ^297,296118, and ^295,293,292118 survived fission and had alpha decay mode as the predominant mode of decay which could be synthesized in the laboratory.     

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.     

Hints of giant halo in Zr isotopes by resonant RMF+ACCC+BCS approach

In experiments for the synthesis of superheavy elements at the velocity filter SHIP, GSI, we observed fission events, which could not be attributed to decay chains of superheavy isotopes from fusion reactions. Usually, the observation of spontaneous fission is a crucial first step for the detection of decay chains. In order to avoid random correlations and misidentifications of superheavy isotopes, it is therefore essential to know the features and cross-sections of fission events not originating from decay chains of superheavy nuclei. The special properties of the velocity filter allowed us to identify and study the ??background?? fission events as decay products of heavy target-like nuclides populated in nucleon transfer reactions. Here, we will discuss the results obtained in collisions of ₂₀ ⁴⁸ Ca + ₉₆ ²⁴⁸ Cm, ₂₄ ⁵⁴ Cr + ₉₆ ²⁴⁸ Cm and ₂₈ ⁶⁴ Ni + ₉₂ ²³⁸ U, which were applied for the synthesis of elements Z = 116 and 120, respectively.     

New outlook on the possible existence of superheavy elements in nature

A consistent interpretation is given to some previously unexplained phenomena seen in nature in terms of the recently discovered long-lived high-spin super-and hyperdeformed isomeric states. The Po halos seen in mica are interpreted as being due to the existence of such isomeric states in corresponding Po or nearby nuclei that eventually decay by γ or β decay to the ground states of ²¹⁰Po, ²¹⁴Po, and ²¹⁸Po nuclei. The low-energy 4.5-MeV α-particle group observed in several minerals is interpreted as being due to a very enhanced α transition from the third minimum of the potential-energy surface in a superheavy nucleus with atomic number Z=108 (Hs) and atomic mass number around 271 to the corresponding minimum in the daughter.     

Collective excitations of the element <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis> = 120

The low-lying vibrational excitations of superheavy even-even nuclei around Z=120 and N=172, predicted to be spherical by the relativistic mean-field (RMF) model, are studied within a phenomenological collective approach. In the framework of the macroscopic model for giant resonances, we compute the transition densities of the isoscalar monopole, quadrupole, and octupole and isovector dipole modes for the superheavy nucleus ²⁹²120, whose ground-state density is determined from the RMF model. The results are also compared to those for²⁰⁸Pb.     

Unified approach to alpha decay calculations

With the discovery of a large number of superheavy nuclei undergoing decay through α emissions, there has been a revival of interest in α decay in recent years. In the theoretical study of α decay the α-nucleus potential, which is the basic input in the study of α-nucleus systems, is also being studied using advanced theoretical methods. In the light of these, the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) approximation method often used for the study of α decay is critically examined and its limitations are pointed out. At a given energy, the WKB expression uses barrier penetration formula for the determination of the transmission coefficient. This approach utilizes the α-nucleus potential only at the barrier region and ignores it elsewhere. In the present era, when one has more precise experimental information on decay parameters and better understanding of α-nucleus potential, it is desirable to use a more precise method for the calculation of decay parameters. We describe the analytic S-matrix (SM) method which gives a procedure for the calculation of decay energy and mean life in an integrated way by evaluating the resonance pole of the S-matrix in the complex momentum or energy plane. We make an illustrative comparative study of WKB and S-matrix methods for the determination of decay parameters in a number of superheavy nuclei.     

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.     

The synthesis and properties of superheavy nuclei produced in the 48Ca+244Pu, 248Cm reactions

We present the results of the experiments aimed at producing hypothetical long-lived superheavy elements located near the spherical shell closures with Z>-114 and N>-172. For the synthesis of superheavy nuclei a combination of neutron-rich reaction partners, such as ²⁴⁴Pu and ²⁴⁸Cm targets and a ⁴⁸Ca projectile have been used. The sensitivity of the present experiment exceeded by more than two orders of magnitude previous attempts to synthesize superheavy nuclides in reactions of ⁴⁸Ca projectiles with actinide targets. We observed new decay sequences of genetically linked α-decays terminated by spontaneous fission. The decay properties of the synthesized nuclei are consistent with the consecutive α-decays originating from the parent nuclides ^288,289114, produced in the 3n and 4n-evaporation channels, and ²⁹²116 — in the 4n-evaporation channel with cross sections of about a picobarn. The present observations can be considered an experimental evidence of the existence of the “island of stability” of superheavy elements and are discussed in terms of modern theoretical approaches.     

Decay Mechanism of 290,292114* Superheavy Nuclei Formed in 48Ca-Induced Reactions

We calculate the neutron-evaporation residue cross sections σ _3n , σ _4n , and σ _5n in the hot-fusion reactions ⁴⁸Ca+^242,244Pu →^290,292114 ^? over a wide range of compound-nucleus excitation energies ( $E_{\text{CN}}^{*}$ = 34–53 MeV). We work with the dynamical cluster-decay model (DCM), with a single parameter, the neck-length parameter ΔR. To calculate neutron-evaporation cross sections, we choose the superheavy proton magic Z = 126 and neutron magic N = 184. Among the 3n, 4n, and 5n production cross sections for ^{290, 292}114^?, only the 3n decay cross sections of ²⁹²114^? correspond to spherical fragmentation. The 4n and 5n cross sections of ²⁹²114^? and 3n, 4n, and 5n cross sections of ²⁹⁰114^? could only be fitted after the inclusion of quadrupole deformations β _2i within the optimum orientation approach. Changes in the angular momentum and N/Z ratio do not significantly influence the fragmentation paths of ^{290, 292}114^? superheavy nuclei. Larger barrier modification is required for the lower angular momentum states and lighter neutron clusters. The contribution of the fusion–fission component is also computed for the compound nucleus ²⁹²114^? in the energy range $E_{\text{CN}}^{*}$ = 27–47 MeV.     

L-Shell Ionization during the Alpha Decay of Superheavy Nuclei from 117 294 Ts Tennessine Decay Chain and the Alpha Decay of the Polonium Isotope 84 210 Po

Physics of Atomic Nuclei - The probabilities for L-shell ionization following the alpha decay of 117 294 Ts, 113 286 Nh, 109 278 Mt, and 105 270 Db superheavy nuclei from the decay chain of...     

Cold reaction valleys in the radioactive decay of superheavy 286112, 292114, and 296116 nuclei

Cold reaction valleys in the radioactive decay of superheavy nuclei ²⁸⁶112, ²⁹²114, and ²⁹⁶116 are studied taking Coulomb and Proximity Potential as the interacting barrier. It is found that in addition to alpha particle, ⁸Be, ¹⁴C, ²⁸Mg, ³⁴Si, ⁵⁰Ca, etc. are optimal cases of cluster radioactivity since they lie in the cold valleys. Two other regions of deep minima centered on ²⁰⁸Pb and ¹³²Sn are also found. Within our Coulomb and Proximity Potential Model half-life times and other characteristics such as barrier penetrability, decay constant for clusters ranging from alpha particle to ⁶⁸Ni are calculated. The computed alpha half-lives match with the values calculated using Viola-Seaborg-Sobiczewski systematics. The clusters ⁸Be and ¹⁴C are found to be most probable for emission with T _1/2 < 10³⁰ s. The alpha-decay chains of the three superheavy nuclei are also studied. The computed alpha-decay half-lives are compared with the values predicted by Generalized Liquid Drop Model and they are found to match reasonably well.