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.

Study on Superheavy Nuclei and Superheavy Elements

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.