超重原子核与新元素研究

当前,原子核物理研究的一个重要前沿是探索原子核的电荷与质量极限,研究超重原子核与超重元素的性质,以及合成超重原子核。20世纪60年代,基于量子壳效应,理论预言质子数为114、中子数为184的原子核及其相邻核具有较长的寿命,甚至可能是稳定的,形成一个超重稳定岛。这个理论预言促进了重离子加速器及相关探测设备的建造,推动了重离子物理的发展。到目前,已经合成到了118号元素,填满了元素周期表的第7行。然而,合成更重的超重元素或包含更多中子的超重原子核面临着很多挑战,需要理论与实验密切结合,探索超重原子核的性质与合成机制,以登上超重稳定岛。文章概要评述超重原子核与新元素研究。首先介绍超重原子核与超重元素研究的背景及理论预言,包括超重核存在的根源、理论预言的概况等。之后简要给出实验合成超重核取得的主要进展和新元素命名情况。关于合成更重的超重元素面临的挑战,文章将针对利用重离子熔合蒸发反应合成超重核的截面低、所合成的超重核缺中子等情况展开讨论。最后评述近年来超重原子核结构性质、衰变、裂变与合成机制等方面的理论研究进展,包括超重核区的幻数和超重岛的位置,超重核的稳定性,利用重离子熔合蒸发反应合成超重核的三步过程及其复杂性,利用多核子转移合成超重核的探索,等等。The exploration of charge and mass limits of atomic nuclei and the synthesis of long-lived or stable superheavy nuclei (SHN) are at the frontier of modern nuclear physics. In the 1960s, based on the stability originating from quantum shell effects, the possible existence of an island of stability around 298114 was predicted. This prediction advanced the construction of heavy ion accelerators and detectors and the development of heavy ion physics. So far, superheavy elements (SHE) with Z up to 118 have been synthesized via heavy ion fusion reactions in laboratories. Recently the IUPAC/IUPAP Joint Working Party (JWP) concluded that criteria for the discovery of new elements have been met for those with Z=113, 115, 117 and 118. Therefore the seventh period of the periodic table of elements is completed. To synthesize even heavier elements or more neutron-rich SHN by using heavy ion fusion reactions, one confronts many challenges. More efforts should be made to study the properties of SHN both experimentally and theoretically. In this short review on the study on SHN and SHE, we will first introduce the background and theoretical predictions of SHN, including the origin of the possible existence of SHN and the predicted island of stability of SHN, etc. Then we will present progresses made up to now concerning the synthesis of SHN and the naming of the four new elements. As for the challenges nuclear physicists confront in synthesizing even heavier SHEs, we will detail those connected with heavy ion fusion-evaporation reactions, namely, the tiny cross sections to produce SHN and the fact that only neutron-deficient SHNs can be synthesized. Finally we will discuss some theoretical progresses on the study of SHN, including the structure of SHN and proton and neutron magic numbers after 208Pb, the stability and the synthesis mechanism of SHN as well as what we should focus on in the future.     

The Search for Transuranium Elements and the Discovery of Nuclear Fission

The synthesis of new, artificial elements beyond uranium was at the cutting-edge of physical research in the 1930s, and nearly half a dozen transuranium elements were reported between 1934 and 1938. Nuclear physicists and radiochemists collaborated closely, but each field introduced fundamental assumptions that proved to be false: that nuclear changes would always be small, and that transuranium elements would resemble transition elements chemically. With its surprise ending in the discovery of nuclear fission, the misguided transuranium project can be viewed as an example of the illogical progress of scientific discovery. It is also an example of an interdisciplinary collaboration that was flawed yet crucial, for although chemists and physicists both contributed to the delay in discovering fission, their collaboration was essential in leading them to it in the end.     

超重核的四面体对称性(英文)

基于反射不对称壳模型的投影位能面计算预言原子核310126 是继208Pb 之后的双幻核,其基态呈现出四面体形状。四面体对称性驱动的量子效应可以使基态的结合能,相较球形而言增加达13 MeV,这反映了在最重核的计算中,考虑四面体自由度的重要性。计算结果还表明,四面体对称性驱动的量子效应能够明显地增加裂变位垒,从而导致超重核合成几率的增加。     

超重核的壳结构

在相对论连续谱Hartree Bogoliubov(RCHB)理论框架下,在质子数Z=100—140和中子数N=Z+30—2Z+32等偶偶核中进行了超重球形双幻核的探索.采用的有效相互作用为NL1,NL3,NLSH,TM1,TW 99,DD ME1,PK1和PK1R.基于对双核子分离能(S2p和S2n)、双核子能隙(δ2p和δ2n)、壳修正能量(Epshell)、对能(Eppair和Enpair)和有效对能隙(Δp和Δn)等物理量和能shell和En级结构的分析,预言了可能的质子幻数和中子幻数,并观察到在超重核区壳的弱化现象. The magic proton and neutron numbers are searched in the superheavy region with proton number Z=100 —140 and neutron number N=(Z+30) — (2Z+32) by the relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov (RCHB) theory with interactions NL1, NL3, NLSH, TM1, TW99, DD-ME1, PK1, and PK1R. Based on the two-nucleon separation energies S_(2p )and S_(2n) , the two-nucleon gaps δ_(2p) and δ_(2n), the shell correction energies E~p_(shell) and E~n_(shell), the pairing energies E~p_(pair) and E~n_(pair), and...     

超重核密度的计算

用Skyrme Hartree Fock模型计算了超重核的密度分布,并讨论了其形状和同位旋相关性。 以292120核为例,计算表明形变对密度分布有相当大的影响。     

超重核的基态性质

用Skyrme Hartree Fock+BCS方法计算了超重核的基态性质,讨论了结合能、α衰变、形变、壳结构和自发裂变等问题.计算得到的结合能较好地反映了实验测量值,α衰变能与实验值符合很好.发现基本上有两种类型的超重核形变:在270108核附近的β2≈0.2的长椭球形变和在298114核附近的近球形形变.单粒子能级分布计算表明:在质子Z=108和中子N=162存在变形壳,在质子Z=114和中子N=184存在球形壳.用得到的α衰变能和Viola Seaborg公式估算了α衰变半寿命,能合理地符合实验测量值. The ground state properties of superheavy nuclei are investigated using the Skyrme Hartree Fock model. The pairing correlation is treated by the BCS method with the pairing δ force. Binding energies, α decays, spontaneous fissions, shell structures and deformations are discussed. Our calculations reproduce experimential binding energies and α decay energies.It is found that superheavy nuclei can be grouped with two kinds of deformations: i) well deformed prolate shapes (β2≈0.2) around 270108...     

Laser Acceleration of Nuclei for Synthesis of Superheavy Elements in the Stability Island of the Periodic Table

Within a three-dimensionalmodel of interaction of a powerful electromagnetic fieldwith plasma of solid-state density, the effect of acceleration of calcium nuclei ( ₂₀ ⁴⁸ Ca) to high energies that are likely to be sufficient for the synthesis of superheavy elements within the “stability island” of the periodic table of elements is obtained by numerically solving the Vlasov–Maxwell equations.     

Oblate Superdeformed High-K States in Superheavy Nuclei

Configuration-constrained calculations of potential -energy surfaces for292122 show the occurrence of multiquasiparticle high-K isomeric state at oblate superdeformation. Such state could play a unique role in superheavy nuclei,with possible long life time from enhanced difculty in fission due to additional barrier at oblate deformation, retardation in α decay due to unpaired nucleons, and hindrance in γ-ray transition due to K forbiddenness.     

Oblate Superdeformed High-K States in Superheavy Nuclei

Configuration-constrained calculations of potential-energy surfaces for ²⁹²122 show the occurrence of multi-quasiparticle high-K isomeric state at oblate superdeformation. Such state could play a unique role in superheavy nuclei, with possible long life time from enhanced difficulty in fission due to additional barrier at oblate deformation, retardation in α decay due to unpaired nucleons, and hindrance in γ-ray transition due to K forbiddenness.     

超重核性质的新观点(英文)

简单回顾了超重核的理论研究现状,讨论了形变对长寿命重核α衰变半衰期的影响。分析了相对论平均场模型的有效范围。强调了α衰变、结团放射性和自发裂变中应保持宇称守恒。提出了一些新观点。Status of theoretical studies on superheavy nuclei is simply reviewed.We investigate the influence of nuclear deformation on half lives of α decay forlong lifetime nuclei beyond 208Pb. The range of the validity of relativistic mean field model is analyzed and discussed. The conservation of parity in α decay, cluster radioactivity, and spontaneous fission of nuclei is stressed. New views on the properties of superheavy nuclei are presented.     

Statistical Behaviors of Quantum Spectra in Superheavy Nuclei

From the point of view of the interplay between order and chaos, the most regular single-particle motion of neutrons has been found in the superheavy system with Z ＝ 120 and N ＝ 184 based on the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock model and in the system with Z ＝ 120 and N ＝ 172 based on the relativistic mean-field model. It has been shown that the statistical analysis of spectra can give valuable information about the stability of suprheavy systems. In addition it may yield deep insight into the single-particle motion in the mean field formed by the superheavy system.     

Laser Spectroscopy of Transuranium Elements

The present paper aims to discuss the prospects for nuclear structure investigation of the transuranium elements by laser spectroscopy. The authors lay stress on two peculiarities of the nuclear structure in this region: The deformed shell closure at neutron number N = 152 and the appearance of superdeformed isomeric states. A laser spectroscopic experimental method is proposed to study these features.     

超重核合成的新进展

介绍了在充气分离器上用２４４Ｐｕ（４８ Ｃａ,３ｎ）２８９１１４和２０８ Ｐｂ（８４ Ｋｒ,ｎ）２９３１１８反应分别合成超重核２８９１１４和２９３１１８的新发现． Introduction of the first synthesis of new superheavy nuclei 289114 and 293118 in reactions of 48Ca+244 Pu and 86 Kr+ 208 Pb.     

超重核的球形和变形壳结构

应用宏观 微观模型系统研究了超重核的形状和结构性质.其中,宏观能是由基于核子密度泛函的连续介质模型计算得到.计算结果很好地再现了超重核的结合能、α衰变能和寿命的实验数据.对单粒子能级的计算和分析表明超重核的壳结构是形变和同位旋相关的.位能曲面的计算结果显示,与其它区域的核相比,超重核的形状不易变化. The structure of superheavy nuclei has been studied by using the macroscopic-microscopic model. The macroscopic energy was calculated with the continuous medium model in which the energy is expressed as a functional of nucleon densities. The deformations and structures of superheavy nuclei were investigated systematically. Calculations reproduce well the available data of experimental α decay energies and half-lifes. The investigation of single-particle levels shows that the shell structure is deformed a...     

Formation of Superheavy Nuclei in Massive Fusion Reactions

We recently performed a series of improvement on evaluation of eigenvalues without complicated iterations.In this work we first discuss evaluation of the lowest eigenvalue for given systems,by which one conveniently obtains the value of the lowest eigenvalue based on the dimension and width of given matrix.We also discuss a strong correlation between eigenvalues and diagonal matrix elements for large matrices,by which one is able to predict eigenvalues approximately without iterations.     

Influence of Effective Tensor Forces on the Fission Barriers of Nuclei in the Uranium Region

The influence of effective tensor forces on the fission barriers of nuclei in the uranium region has been studied. A modified Fayans energy density functional (EDF) FaNDF⁰-a, which differs from the initial energy density functional FaNDF⁰ in the inclusion of strong effective tensor interaction, has been proposed. For the ²³⁶U and ²³⁸U isotopes, this results in a significant, about 1 MeV, reduction of the first barrier, approaching the values to the known experimental values. However, a noticeable, about the same order of magnitude, difference from these experimental values remains. Possible reasons for this remaining difference are discussed.     

Ground State Properties of Superheavy Nuclei in Macroscopic-Microscopic Model

The ground state properties of superheavy nuclei are systematically calculated by the macroscopic-microscopic (MM) model with the Nilsson potential. The calculations well produced the ground state binding energies, α-decay energies, and half lives of superheavy nuclei. The calculated results are systematically compared with available experimental data. The calculated results are also compared with theoretical results from other MM models and from relativistic mean-field model. The calculations and comparisons show that the MM model is reliable in superheavy region and that the MM model results are not very sensitive to the choice of microscopic single-particle potential.     

Search for Superheavy Elements in the Nature

The existence of relatively stable elements beyond the present Periodic Table is predicted by various theoretical calculations. Considering all experiments of the search for superheavy elements (SHE) in nature and their non definite positive results further search seems to be pessimistic. Nevertheless in this work the scientific necessity to continue the search in nature by a modified manner using industrial enrichment steps is pointed out.     

Atomic Processes Accompanying Alpha Decay of Superheavy Nuclei

Physics of Atomic Nuclei - Processes involving the ionization of atomic shells and x-ray transitions in daughter nuclei and accompanying alpha decay of superheavy isotopes are considered. The...