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.     

Photodisintegration of Sn isotopes

Yields of (γ, n) reactions on tin isotopes ¹²⁴Sn, ¹¹⁸Sn, ¹¹⁴Sn, and ¹¹²Sn and yields of (γ, p) reactions on ¹¹⁷Sn, ¹¹⁶Sn, and ¹¹²Sn were measured in the present study. The obtained results are compared to those from earlier experiments and theoretical calculations. The yields of reactions with the production of nuclei in isomeric states are presented.     

Role of the quasiparticle structure in α-decays of superheavy nuclei

The one-quasiparticle structures of nuclei in the α-decay chains of ²⁸⁷114 and ²⁹³116 are studied using a modified two-center shell model. Two-quasiparticle states are revealed in the α-decay chain of even-even nuclei ^286,288114. The calculated values for Q _α are compared to the available experimental data. The termination of the α-decay chains by spontaneous fission is analyzed.     

Cold valleys of superheavy elements with deformed targets and projectiles

The dependence of the cold driving potential on the deformation of the incoming target and projectile is investigated in the case of the synthesis of the superheavy nuclei ²⁵⁶No, ²⁸⁶112, ²⁹²114, ²⁹⁶116, and ³⁰⁶122. The occurrence of valleys in the driving potential as a function on the interfragment distance and the mass asymmetry is studied for different fixed orientations of the colliding nuclei such as the pole-pole, pole-equator, equator-equator, and equator-equator-crossed and compared to the case when the nuclei are assumed to be spherical or when the potential is averaged over the orientation.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis of superheavy nuclei with <Superscript>238</Superscript>U target

The production of superheavy nuclei with Z=108-116 via hot fusion reactions of the neutron-rich projectiles with 238U target is systematically studied.The results show that the production cross sections of superheavy nuclei do not decrease monotonously as the atomic number Z increasing.The cross sections of the superheavy nuclei at Z = 112 and 115 are enhanced as compared with the whole Z-trend in synthesis of the superheavy nuclei,which clearly illustrates that the reactions with large negative Q-value and...     

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.     

Application of the mass-spectrometer MASHA for mass-spectrometry and laser-spectroscopy

We report the present status of the mass-spectrometer MASHA (Mass-Analyzer of Supper Heavy Atoms) designed for determination of the masses of superheavy elements. The mass-spectrometer is connected to the U-400M cyclotron of the Flerov Laboratory for Nuclear Reactions (FLNR) JINR, Dubna. The first experiments on mass-measurements for 112 and 114 elements will be performed in the upcoming 2010. For this purpose a hot catcher, based on a graphite stopper, is constructed. The α-decay of the superheavy nuclides or spontaneous fission products will be detected with a silicon 192 strips detector. The experimental program of future investigations using the technique of a gas catcher is discussed. It should be regarded as an alternative of the classical ISOL technique. The possibilities are considered for using this mass-spectrometer for laser spectroscopy of nuclei far off-stability.     

Quasiparticle structure of superheavy nuclei in α-decay chains of ~(285)Fl and ~(291,293)Lv

Two mean-field potentials, Woods-Saxon and Skyrme based potentials, are used to calculate the energies of low-lying one-quasiparticle states. The spectra of the low-lying states and the α-decay spectra of nuclei belonging to the α-decay chains of ~(285)Fl and ~(291,293)Lv are calculated and compared with the available experimental data. Dependence of the splitting of the pseudospin doublets and of the energies of the unique parity neutron one-quasiparticle states on the mean field potential are discussed. As shown, the α-decay spectra could be different in the α-decay chain and at the direct production of the nucleus in a fusion reaction.     

α-decay half-lives of superheavy nuclei and general predictions

The generalized liquid drop model (GLDM) and the cluster model have been employed to calculate the α-decay half-lives of superheavy nuclei (SHN) using the experimental α-decay Q values. The results of the cluster model are slightly poorer than those from the GLDM if experimental Q values are used. The prediction powers of these two models with theoretical Q values from Audi et al. (Qaudi) and Muntian et al. (QM) have been tested to find that the cluster model with Qaudi and QM could provide reliable results for Z>112 but the GLDM with Qaudi for Z≤112. The half-lives of some still unknown nuclei are predicted by these two models and these results may be useful for future experimental assignment and identification.     

Systematic study of decay properties of heaviest elements

Decay properties and stability of heaviest nuclei with Z ?? 132 are studied within the macro-microscopical approach for nuclear ground-state masses. We use phenomenological relations for the half-lives with respect to ??-decay, ??-decay and spontaneous fission. Our calculations demonstrate that the ??-stable isotopes ²⁹¹Cn and ²⁹³Cn with a half-life of about 100 years are the longest-living superheavy nuclei located on the first island of stability. We found the second island of stability of superheavy nuclei in the region of Z ?? 124 and N ?? 198. It is separated from the ??continent?? by the ??gulf?? of short-living nuclei with half-lives shorted than 1 ??s.     

Isomerism,total decay energies,and absolute γ-ray intensities of the heavy Pd and Ag isotopes

The decays of^{113, 114, 115g, 115m, 116}Pd have been studied with an emphasis on the determinations of total decay energies and absoluteγ-ray intensities. The experiments also provided improved data on these quantities for the decays of^{114, 115g, 115m, 116m}Ag. A search for isomeric transitions using a high resolution electron detector resulted in the identification of isomericE3 transitions in¹¹⁵Pd and^{113, 115, 116, 117}Ag. The isomeric branching was determined in all cases. TheQ _β-values of^113–116Pd and^113–116Ag have been measured using aβγ-coincidence method.     

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.     

Ground State Properties of Ds Isotopes Within the Relativistic Mean Field Theory

The ground state properties of Ds (Z=110) isotopes (N=151-195) are studied in the framework of the relativistic mean field (RMF) theory with the effective interaction NL-Z2.The pairing correlation is treated within the conventional BCS approximation.The calculated binding energies are consistent with the results from finite-range droplet model (FRDM) and Macroscopic-microscopic method (MMM).The quadrupole deformation,α-decay energy,α-decay half-live,charge radius,two-neutron separation energy and single-particle spectra are analyzed for Ds isotopes to find new characteristics of superheavy nuclei (SHN).Among the calculated results it is rather distinct that the isotopic shift appears evidently at neutron number N=184.     

Fusion-fission dynamics in the superheavy nucleus production

The fusion-fission reaction mechanism leading to the massive nucleus formation is studied. We investigate the superheavy nucleus formation in heavy-ion induced reactions by analysing the evaporation residue (ER) production in order to study the fusion dynamics and the decay properties of nuclei close to the stability island at Z=114. We consider the ⁶¹Ni+²⁰⁸Pb, ⁴⁸Ca+²³⁸U and ⁴⁸Ca+²⁴⁴Pu reactions that lead to the Z=110, 112 and 114 superheavy elements respectively. By using the dinuclear system (DNS) concept of the two interacting nuclei we calculate the quasifission-fusion competition in the entrance channel and the fission-evaporation competition along the de-excitation cascade of the compound nucleus. The dynamics of the entrance channel allows us to determine the beam energy window which is favorable to the fusion, while the dynamic evolution of the compound nucleus on the shell correction to the fission barrier and the dissipative effects influence the fission-evaporation competition in order to obtain the residue nuclei from the superheavy nucleus formation. We also calculate the τ _n /τ_tot ratio at each step of the de-excitation cascade of the compound nucleus and we present a systematics of τ _n /τ_tot (at first step of the cascade) for many reactions that lead to nuclei with Z=102–114.     

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.     

Synthesis and decay properties of superheavy atoms in nuclear reactions induced by stable and radioactive ion beams

This talk consists of two parts. The first one presents the results of investigations performed in 1998-2000 in Dubna on the synthesis of superheavy nuclei in reactions induced by ⁴⁸Ca ions. The radioactive decay properties of the nuclei, indicating a considerable increase in the α-decay and spontaneous fission half-lives of the isotopes of elements 110-116 when approaching the closed neutron shell at N = 184, are given. In the second part the possible ways of advancing into the region of more neutron-rich nuclei, using stable and radioactive ion beams, are discussed. Since so far no intense radioactive ion beams are available, some experiments with stable beams are considered as a test for the suggested ideas. Received: 1 May 2001 / Accepted: 4 December 2001