Development of an odd-Z-projectile reaction for heavy element synthesis: 208Pb(64Ni,n)271Ds and 208Pb(65Cu,n)(272)111

Seven 271Ds decay chains were identified in the bombardment of 208Pb targets with 311.5 and 314.3 MeV 64Ni projectiles using the Berkeley Gas-filled Separator. These data, combined with previous results, provide an excitation function for this reaction. From these results, an optimum energy of 321 MeV was estimated for the production of (272)111 in the new reaction 208Pb(65Cu,n). One decay chain was observed, resulting in a cross section of 1.7(+3.9)(-1.4) pb. This experiment confirms the discovery of element 111 by the Darmstadt Group who used the 209Bi(64Ni,n)(272)111 reaction.