Nuclear systematics of the heavy elements—I energetics and masses

Abstract

From examination of nuclear decay energy systematics, the mass-energy surface of the heavy elements has been extended to experimentally unknown isotopes. The mass predictions are made by empirical extrapolation of α- and β-decay energies which fit together to form closed cycles. Experimental masses and energies are based upon the most recent work of Wapstra et al. (7) The following quantities are tabulated for nuclei with 54≤ Z≤108 and 139≤ A≤277: nuclidic mass, α- and β-decay energies, and neutron and proton binding energies. In addition the systematic behaviour of the kinetic energy release in fission is examined.