Superheavy elements and variations in the nuclear skin thickness

Although the interpretation of the data is uncertain, the recently claimed empirical evidence of element Z = 126 and some of its neighbours, provides the impetus for a reexamination of the nuclear one-body potentials, on the basis of which extrapolations have been made up to now. In particular the skin thickness parameters of the neutrons and protons are of interest and the authors presently consider the possibility that the nucleus may adjust its skin thickness to achieve a maximal shell energy.