Shell effects in fusion-fission of heavy and superheavy nuclei

The process of fusion-fission of heavy and superheavy nuclei (SHE) with Z=82?122 formed in the reactions with ⁴⁸Ca and ⁵⁸Fe ions at energies near and below the Coulomb barrier has been studied. The experiments were carried out at the U-400 accelerator of the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (JINR) and at the XTU Tandem accelerator of the National Laboratory of Legnaro (LNL) using the time-of-flight spectrometer of fission fragments CORSET and the neutron multi-detector DEMON. As a result of the experiments, mass and energy distributions (MED) of fission fragments, fission, quasi-fission and evaporation residues cross sections, multiplicities of neutrons and γ quanta and their dependence on the mechanism of formation and decay of compound systems have been studied.     

Fusion-fission of heavy and superheavy nuclei

The process of fusion-fission of heavy and superheavy nuclei (SHE) with Z=82–122 formed in the reactions with ⁴⁸Ca and ⁵⁸Fe ions at energies near and below the Coulomb barrier has been studied. The experiments were carried out at the U-400 accelerator of the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (JINR) and at the XTU Tandem accelerator of the National Laboratory of Legnaro (LNL) using the time-of-flight spectrometer of fission fragments CORSET and the neutron multidetector DEMON. As a result of the experiments, mass and energy distributions (MED) of fission fragments; fission, quasifission, and evaporation residue cross sections; and multiplicities of neutrons and γ-quanta and their dependences on the mechanism of formation and decay of compound systems have been studied.     

Kinetic energy and angular distributions of instantaneous fission fragments in a classical model

The process of instantaneous fission in deep inelastic collisions is investigated in a classical model. Kinetic energies and angular distributions of the fragments are calculated for the proposed reaction Pb+U atE _cm ^inc =750 MeV; an experimental setup for the separation of the fragments originating from instantaneous fission from the fragments of thermal fission is explained. We also discuss fusion following instantaneous fission as a mechanism for the production of superheavy elements and arrive at rather promising estimates.     

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.     

Orientation windows in the cold synthesis and decay of heavy elements

Due to the multipolar ground state nuclear deformations (β ₂, β ₃, β ₄,...) the cold synthesis of heavy and superheavy elements is dependent on the mutual orientation of target and projectile. When going from lower bombarding energies to higher bombarding energies, windows for orientations are occurring and others are disappearing. The cold fission is also strongly dependent on the deformation but is more selective in respect to orientation of fragments at scission. The measured cold fission yields of ²⁵²Cf show that only one orientation window is active. I propose a qualitative receipt based on the orientation windows of the driving potential which serves as a guidance in understanding the fission and quasifission mass distributions in the synthesis of heavy and superheavy elements.     

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.     

Evidence for long-range fission fragments induced by irradiation with electrons

In search of natural superheavy elements, long-range fission fragments penetrating up to 73 μm of mylar were observed, when thick metallic foils of U, Pb and W, covered with six mylar foils were irradiated with 550 MeV or 1300 MeV electron beams. The cross section is of the order of 10⁻³⁰ cm². The effect is produced in natural U, Pb, W and similarly in mass separated ²⁰⁸Pb and ¹⁸⁶W isotopes — not by fission of a superheavy element.     

Hints of giant halo in Zr isotopes by resonant RMF+ACCC+BCS approach

In experiments for the synthesis of superheavy elements at the velocity filter SHIP, GSI, we observed fission events, which could not be attributed to decay chains of superheavy isotopes from fusion reactions. Usually, the observation of spontaneous fission is a crucial first step for the detection of decay chains. In order to avoid random correlations and misidentifications of superheavy isotopes, it is therefore essential to know the features and cross-sections of fission events not originating from decay chains of superheavy nuclei. The special properties of the velocity filter allowed us to identify and study the ??background?? fission events as decay products of heavy target-like nuclides populated in nucleon transfer reactions. Here, we will discuss the results obtained in collisions of ₂₀ ⁴⁸ Ca + ₉₆ ²⁴⁸ Cm, ₂₄ ⁵⁴ Cr + ₉₆ ²⁴⁸ Cm and ₂₈ ⁶⁴ Ni + ₉₂ ²³⁸ U, which were applied for the synthesis of elements Z = 116 and 120, respectively.     

Dynamics of superheavy system in 86Kr + 208Pb reaction

The dynamics of the excited superheavy system with Z = 118 in the reaction ⁸⁶Kr + Pb at E _Kr = 600 MeV has been investigated. The mass and kinetic energy of binary fragments were measured by the time-of-flight method. Double differential distributions of neutrons and α particles were measured in coincidence with fragments. Neutron and α-particle probes were used for determination of the fragmentation time scale. Evidence of the neck fragmentation was obtained from analysis of double differential α spectra. Properties of the α-particle neck fragmentation component are close to those known from the ternary fission of actinide nuclei, but the multiplicity is much larger. The total kinetic energy distribution of fragments tagged by neutrons or α particles shifts towards lower energies. Fragment yields in the symmetric region increase substantially when fragments are tagged by α particles.     

Light particle accompanied quasifission in superheavy composite systems

The dynamics of the excited superheavy system with Z = 118 in the reaction ⁸⁶Kr + ²⁰⁸Pb at E _Kr = 460, 500, and 600 MeV has been investigated. The mass and kinetic energy of binary fragments were measured by the time-of-flight method. Double-differential distributions of protons and α particles were measured in coincidence with fragments. The proton spectra can be described considering only evaporation from fragments. Evidence of the neck fragmentation was obtained from analysis of double-differential α spectra. Properties of the α-particle neck fragmentation component are close to those known from the ternary fission of actinide nuclei, but the multiplicity is much larger than can be expected from extrapolation of the ternary fission data. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

A search for rare types of fission induced in silver and bromine nuclei

Ternary and quaternary fission produced in silver and bromine nuclei have been studied withK5 nuclear emulsion exposed to 1.8 GeV/cK ⁻ beams. The frequency of the ternary events is found to be ∼0.08 of that of the binary events produced in the same volume of the emulsion. The range ratio and range distribution of the fission fragments are studied and the angles between each pair of the fragments are determined. Ranges are found to vary from 5 to 40μ with a maximum number lying between 5 and 10μ. The angles between the fission fragments are found to form a broad distribution extending from 40° to 180°. A few of the events have also been analysed to give them a possible identity. A possible case of quaternary fission has also been reported. This paper was presented at the Symposium on 3rd High Energy Physics held at Bhubaneswar during November 1976.     

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.     

Analysis of fusion-fission process with neutron evaporation in superheavy mass region

The fusion-fission process for the synthesis of superheavy elements is discussed on the basis of fluctuation-dissipation dynamics. Recently, experiments at Dubna on fission of superheavy nuclei were carried out, and the mass and total kinetic energy distributions of fission fragments were measured. The fusion-fission cross section was derived from the experiments. We analyze the data using a three-dimensional Langevin calculation. We present a clear understanding of the competition between the fusion and the quasifission. We emphasize that a one-or two-dimensional model of Langevin calculation is not sufficient to estimate the fusion cross section in the superheavy mass region. Also, experiments on the emission of neutrons in correlation with fission fragments were conducted. It is useful to investigate the fusion-fission dynamics. We take into account the neutron emission with a Langevin calculation and compare it with experimental data. Finally, we discuss the evaporation residue cross section for superheavy elements.     

Search for delayed fission products from superheavy nuclei in the reaction136Xe+208Pb

The production of superheavy elements in binary reactions of the type²⁰⁸Pb (¹³⁶Xe, X) Y was investigated atE _c.m.=470 MeV. The experiment was designed to search for delayed fission products from elements withZ between 108 and 116 and fission lifetimes ofΤ?10^?12 s. No fission events were observed the upper limit for the formation cross section being 1.2 Μbarn.     

A possible mechanism in heavy ion induced reactions: “Fast fission process”

The influence of the orbital angular momentuml on the mass distribution of fission fragments is studied, both on previously available data on heavy ion induced fission and in new specifically planned experiments: systems⁴⁰Ar+¹⁶⁵Ho and²⁴Mg+¹⁸¹Ta at bombarding energies ranging from 180 up to 391 MeV and leading to the same fissioning nucleus²⁰⁵At with differentl distributions. Whenl values corresponding to a vanished fission barrier are reached, the mass distribution broadens. This suggest the existence of a specific process, “fast fission”, atl-values intermediate betweenl-values leading to compound nucleus formation and deep inelastic collisions, respectively. This process and its conditions of occurence are discussed; of special interest are the correlated differences between the limitations to the fusion cross-section and the fission mass distributions broadenings, respectively, for the Ar+Ho and Mg+Ta systems.     

Absolute photofission cross sections for 232Th and 235,238U measured with monochromatic tagged photons (20 Mev < Eγ < 110 Mev)

The absolute photofission cross sections for ²³²Th and ^{235, 238} U has been studied from 20 to 110 MeV using the photon tagging technique at the Saclay linear electron accelerator (ALS). The fission fragments were directly detected using a parallel plate avalanche detector (PPAD). The basic experimental results are a set of data giving σ(E_γ, fission). These results are compared with the few other measurements performed with monochromatic photons. From a comparison of the present fission data with the total absorption cross section, the total fission probability was deduced. The behaviour of this probability was discussed in terms of a cascade model for fission-evaporation competition. Quite good agreement is found with a calculation based on the hybrid model of pre-equilibrium reactions.     

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.     

Light charged particle emission and fission in238U+238U collisions at 1,740 MeV

Inclusive⁴He and⁴H energy spectra and heavy fragment coincidence correlations have been measured for reactions of 7.31 MeV/u²³⁸U with²³⁸U and^?197Au targets. The H/He production cross sections are in the range 15–26 mb, and their emission spectra are very similar for the two systems. The observed strong kinematic shifts with angle are reproduced in shape and magnitude by Monte Carlo simulations of particle evaporation from projectile-like and target-like fragments, indicating competition between charged particle emission and sequential fission. No evidence is found for high energy charged particle emission associated with ultra-highZ composite systems. Heavy fragment measurements indicate an abundance of quasielastic and deeply inelastic reaction fragments, as well as sequential fission of target and projectile nuclei. For²³⁸U nuclei, the fission occurs predominantly in an asymmetric mode, reminiscent of fission at low excitation energy. For²³⁸+²³⁸U reactions in the vicinity of the grazing angle, the frequency of single sequential fission (with survival of the partner fragment) is twice as large as double sequential fission in which both the target and projectile undergo fission. In²³⁸U+¹⁹⁷Au reactions, the survival probability of the heavy fragments is even greater. The surprisingly high survival probabilities of high-Z fragments imply a preponderance of very soft collisions in these very-heavy-ion reactions, at least at energies not very far over the Coulomb barrier.     

Non-axial shapes in spontaneous fission of superheavy nuclei

We test the importance of non-axial nuclear shapes in spontaneous fission of heavy and superheavy even-even nuclei from the region around a hypothetical doubly magic nucleus ²⁹⁸114. Fission half-lives are calculated by finding dynamical fission paths as dictated by the least WKB action principle with the macroscopic-microscopic energy and the cranking inertial parameters. Results show that the effects of non-axial shapes on the fission process are weakened by the inertia tensor and become important only for the heaviest elements with Z ⩾ 120.     

The binary decay of U,Th, Pb and Au induced by 380 MeVK − mesons

The binary decay of U, Th, Pb and Au induced by 380 MeVK ^? mesons has been studied by means of a polycarbonate plastic track detector makrofol. The range distributions of the produced fragments are discussed and some conclusions are derived on the ratio of the processes of fission and fragmentation. Also calculated mass and energy distributions of the fragments produced by the uranium fission are presented.