Shell-model calculations of fission decay widths and probabilities in superheavy nuclei

Abstract

The stability of excited superheavy nuclei with respect to fission is studied on the basis of realistic shell models and of the BCS Hamiltonian. A statistical approach is used to calculate the deformation probabilities of excited nuclei as well as the fission and neutron decay widths. The results of the calculations show a rapid washing out with energy of the shell effects responsible for the high fission barriers predicted in the superheavy region. The first chance fission probabilities are calculated for nuclei in the region between Z = 108 and Z = 126. Two single-particle models proposed by Nilsson and by Bolsterli et al. have been used in the calculations. The results are discussed in terms of the possible production of superheavy elements by means of standard nuclear reactions.