Heavy element research at FLNR (Dubna)

The setting of the experiments is described and the results obtained on the synthesis of the heaviest nuclides in reactions induced by ⁴⁸Ca projectiles are presented. The decay properties of the new nuclei confirm the theoretical predictions about the new nuclear shells and the “islands of stability” of superheavy elements. Briefly, also the results of the first experiments aimed to study the atomic and chemical properties of element 112 are reported.