Alpha decay properties of superheavy nuclei Z = 126

Abstract

We have studied the possible isotopes of superheavy nuclei Z=126 in the range 288≤A≥339 by studying through their α-decay properties. α-Decay half-life for the isotopes of Z=126 superheavy nuclei in the range 288≤A≥339 is performed within the Coulomb and proximity potential model for deformed nuclei (CPPMDN). The calculated α half-lives agree with the values computed using the Viola–Seaborg systematic, the universal curve of Poenaru et al. (2011) [61]; (2012) [62] and the analytical formulas of Royer (2000) [63]. To identify the mode of decay of these isotopes, the spontaneous-fission half-lives were also evaluated using the semiempirical relation given by Xu et al. (2008) [72]. As we could observe α chains consistently from the nuclei 288–306126, we have predicted that these nuclei could not be synthesized and detected experimentally via α decay as their decay half-lives are too small, which span the order 10−9 to 10−6 s. Most of the predicted, unknown nuclei in the range 307≤A≥326 were found to have relatively long half-lives. Of these the nuclei 307126, 318126, 319126, 320126 and 323–326126 were found to have long half-lives and hence could be sufficient to detect them if synthesized in a laboratory.