Superheavy Nuclei Research Articles

Possibility to synthesize $Z = 119$ superheavy nuclei with $Z>$ 20 projectiles

Abstract We employed the dinuclear system (DNS) model combined with statistical model to calculate the evaporation residue cross sections for the reaction systems $^{48}$Ca + $^{243}$Am, $^{48}$Ca + $^{248}$Cm, and $^{48}$Ca + $^{249}$Bk. The theoretical results successfully reproduced the experimental trends in the 3$n$ and 4$n$ evaporation channels of these reaction systems. In order to synthesize the new element $Z = 119$, we predicted the evaporation residue cross sections for three reaction systems ($^{54}$Cr + $^{243}$Am, $^{51}$V + $^{248}$Cm, and $^{50}$Ti + $^{249}$Bk) to select the most promising projectile-target combinations. We also noted that the maximum cross sections predicted by our model and other methods appear to be below the detection limits of current experimental facilities, given the projectile-target combinations feasible under current experimental conditions. Therefore, synthesizing superheavy nuclei with $Z = 119$ will require improvements in beam intensity, detection techniques, and effective separation methods.

Systematic study on heavy-particle radioactivity of superheavy nuclei 297–300119

Systematic study on heavy-particle radioactivity of superheavy nuclei 297–300119

Survival probabilities of compound superheavy nuclei towards element 119

To synthesize superheavy element 119 is becoming a highly concerned issue as several experimental projects in major laboratories are being pursued. This work studied the survival probabilities of compound superheavy nuclei after multiple neutron emissions based on microscopic energy dependent fission barriers, demonstrating a significant role of triaxial deformation in decreasing the first fission barriers in the heaviest region. Together with the fusion cross sections by the dinuclear system model, the optimal energy and the residual cross section of 243Am(48Ca, 3n)288Mc are reproduced. Finally the cross sections and optimal beam energies of 54Cr+243Am and 50Ti+249Bk reactions are estimated, providing clues for the synthesis of new elements.

Superheavy magic nuclei: Ground-state properties, bubble structure and α-decay chains

A systematic investigation of superheavy nuclei in the isotopic chains of proton numbers Z=106, 114, 120, and 126 together with isotonic chains of neutron numbers N=162, 172, and 184 is presented in the theoretical framework of relativistic mean-field density functionals based on density-dependent meson-nucleon couplings. Ground-state properties, including binding energy, shape, deformation, density profile, and radius, are estimated to provide compelling evidence of magicity in these even-even nuclei, aligning with the concept of the ‘island of stability.’ The analysis reveals central depletion in the charge density, indicating a bubble-like structure, primarily attributed to the substantial repulsive Coulomb field and the influence of higher l-states. A thorough examination of potential decay modes, employing various semi-empirical formulas, is presented. The probable α-decay chains are evaluated, demonstrating excellent agreement with available experimental data.

Microscopic description of spontaneous fission based on a Gogny energy density functional including tensor contributions

This paper extends previous studies on the impact of tensor forces in fission dynamics of neutron-deficient Thorium isotopes to other isotopic chains of heavy actinides and low-mass super-heavy nuclei. Calculations are carried out within a mean-field framework based on the Gogny-D1S parametrization supplemented with the D1ST2a perturbative tensor term as driving force. Fission barrier heights and spontaneous fission half-lives are used as benchmarks to analyze the impact of the tensor term. A significant reduction of fission barrier heights and half-lives is associated with the tensor component of the force.

Machine learning study of fission barriers in superheavy nuclei

Machine learning study of fission barriers in superheavy nuclei

Sputtering of targets in high-intensity heavy-ion beam experiments

Based on available models and experimental data, the sputtering of target atoms in long-term experiments with intense heavy ion (HI) beams has been considered. The experiments on the synthesis of superheavy nuclei (SHN), which are carried out in laboratories around the world, are examples of such experiments encountering the target atoms sputtering in specific conditions. Rotating wheels with a relatively large target annulus area are used in these experiments to reduce the temperature and radiation loads on the target. Large areas of rotating targets allow one to reduce the sputtering yields of target atoms significantly. The question arises about the reliability of these yields in experiments on the synthesis of SHN with Z>118. These nuclei can be produced with extremely low cross sections, requiring HI beam doses exceeding 10 20 particles passed through the target to observe several decay events of the thus synthesized SHN. Estimates based on approximations and simulations considered in this work are presented and compared with some data on actinide target sputtering obtained in experiments performed on the synthesis of SHN.

An alpha decay study of superheavy nuclei within a Coulomb and proximity potential model including a Q-value dependent surface diffuseness parameter

Using the Coulomb and Proximity Potential Model (CPPM) and a Q-value dependent surface diffuseness parameter in the proximity potential, the alpha decay half-lives of 75 experimentally synthesized superheavy nuclei were determined. Comparisons are made between the obtained results and experimentally determined alpha decay half-lives, as well as the predictions of Yang et al.’s recent study [Nucl. Phys. A 1014 (2021) 122250], which is based on the Unified Fission Model (UFM) with a new preformation parameter. The lowest standard deviation of 0.621 is obtained for CPPM calculations with Q-value-dependent surface diffuseness parameter. The calculation is extended further to estimate the alpha decay half-lives [Formula: see text]119 and [Formula: see text]120 superheavy isotopes and compared with the predictions of UFM. Finally, the results of the calculations are compared to the predictions of the UDL formula [Phys. Rev. Lett. 103 (2009) 072501] and the modified Hutsukawa formula [Nucl. Part. Phys. Proc. 339 (2023) 92].

Neutron and fission decay width of superheavy compound nuclei

We have systematically studied the level density parameter, nuclear level density and decay width of neutron and fission of superheavy nuclei. This paper is validated by comparing with available experiments for [Formula: see text]U and [Formula: see text]Pu. The angular dependence of level density parameter, level densities and ratio of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] the thermal excitation energy (U) have been studied in the superheavy region [Formula: see text]. The role of entrance channel parameter on decay width of neutron and fission has been studied both in cold and hot fusion reactions in the superheavy region [Formula: see text]. Systematic variation of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is observed in both the cases. Finally, predicted [Formula: see text] for the synthesis of superheavy nuclei [Formula: see text] and 120.

Compound nucleus formation probability of heavy and superheavy nuclei synthesized using heavy ion fusion reactions

The role of entrance channel parameters such as Z2/A, charge asymmetry αz, mass-asymmetry (ηA), charge product (Z1Z2), mean fissility χm, Coulomb interaction parameter and (N−Z)/(N+Z) on compound nucleus formation of actinide nuclei using heavy ion fusion reactions were investigated. For the formation of compound nuclei, the considered atomic number range of the projectile varies between 5≤Z≤14 and the mass number lies between 10≤A≤34. Similarly, the studied target atomic number varies between 78≤Z≤92 and the mass number range is 197≤A≤238. Among these entrance channel parameters, PCN is more systematic for (N−Z)(N+Z), Z2/A and αz. In addition to entrance channel parameters, the Ecm and EBass also play a significant role in the prediction of PCN. The proposed empirical formulae are applicable to the compound nuclei from Fr to Sg. These findings are significant for the PCN prediction from Fr to Sg.

Coexistence of pure octupole shapes in the superheavy nucleus 286No

The shape of 286No is investigated with the relativistic density functional theory on a three-dimensional lattice space without any symmetry restriction in a microscopic and self-consistent way. It is found that the ground state of 286No has a pure non-axial octupole shape and coexists with a tetrahedral isomeric state. The energy difference between the two states is only 0.12 MeV, and they are separated by a potential barrier of about 0.5 MeV. The occurrence of the octupole correlations is analyzed with the evolution of the single-particle levels near the Fermi surface driven by the octupole deformations.

Compound nucleus formation probability for superheavy nuclei

Compound nucleus formation probability for superheavy nuclei

Dipole-driven multidimensional fusion: An insightful approach to the formation of superheavy nuclei

Dipole-driven multidimensional fusion: An insightful approach to the formation of superheavy nuclei

Fission barriers with the Weizsäcker-Skyrme mass model* *Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12265006, U1867212) and the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (2017GXNSFGA198001)

Based on the Weizsäcker-Skyrme (WS4) mass model, the fission barriers of nuclei are systematically studied. Considering the shell corrections, macroscopic deformation energy, and a phenomenological residual correction, the fission barrier heights for nuclei with can be well described, with an rms deviation of 0.481 MeV with respect to 71 empirical barrier heights. In addition to the shell correction at the ground state, the shell correction at the saddle point and its relative value are also important for both deformed and spherical nuclei. The fission barriers for nuclei far from the -stability line and super-heavy nuclei are also predicted with the proposed approach.

Fission valleys and favored isotopes emitted from 310\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{310}$$\\end{document}126

The decay channels for the superheavy nucleus 310\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{310}$$\\end{document}126 are studied under the binary macroscopic–microscopic method. The macroscopic part is calculated as the heavy-light interacting charged liquid drops, linked through the finite range Yukawa-plus-exponential force. The microscopic energy is calculated based on the spheroidally deformed two-center shell model. The proton and neutron single-particle levels are introduced in the binary Strutinsky procedure. The resulting shell corrections are added to the macroscopic part to obtain the fission barriers. The dynamical part follows by introducing the Werner–Wheeler inertia. The final lifetimes are calculated for all possible isotopic channels around the most favored heavy-light fragment pairs.

Pseudo-Spin Symmetry and the Hints for Unstable and Superheavy Nuclei

The pseudo-spin symmetry (PSS) provides an important angle to understand nuclear microscopic structure and the novel phenomena found in unstable nuclei. The relativistic Hartree–Fock (RHF) theory, that takes the important degrees of freedom associated with the π-meson and ρ-tensor (ρ-T) couplings into account, provides an appropriate description of the PSS restoration in realistic nuclei, particularly for the pseudo-spin (PS) doublets with high angular momenta (l˜). The investigations of the PSS within the RHF theory are recalled in this paper by focusing on the effects of the Fock terms. Aiming at common artificial shell closures appearing in previous relativistic mean-field calculations, the mechanism responsible for the PSS restoration of high-l˜ orbits is stressed, revealing the manifestation of nuclear in-medium effects on the PSS, and thus, providing qualitative guidance on modeling the in-medium balance between nuclear attractions and repulsions. Moreover, the essential role played by the ρ-T coupling, that contributes mainly via the Fock terms, is introduced as combined with the relations between the PSS and various nuclear phenomena, including the shell structure and the evolution, novel halo and bubble-like phenomena, and the superheavy magicity. As the consequences of the nuclear force in complicated nuclear many-body systems, the PSS itself and the mechanism therein can not only deepen our understanding of nuclear microscopic structure and relevant phenomena, but also provide special insight into the nature of the nuclear force, which can further enrich our knowledge of nuclear physics.

Effects of deformation on the cluster and the [formula omitted]-decay half-lives for isotopes of the Trans-lead and the undetected superheavy nuclei

In the present investigation, based on the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) approximation, and by considering deformation of the cluster and the daughter nuclei, the cluster radioactivity half-lives of 22 Trans-lead isotopes ranging from 221Fr to 242Cm are calculated. Also, the α-decay half-lives of even–even isotopes for the superheavy nuclei with Z in the range 104≤Z≤118 are computed. For the cluster radioactivity, a preformation factor, Pc depending on the atomic numbers of the cluster and the daughter nuclei is used according to the Santhosh and Jose (2021). The α preformation factor, Pα is evaluated based on the cluster-formation model (CFM). A universal decay law (UDL) proposed by Qi et al. (2009), was used to obtain the decay half-lives of the cluster and the α-decay for checking the credibility of our approach. The effects of the deformation of decay products on the half-lives of the cluster and the α-decay have also been investigated by comparing the obtained half-lives considering deformation with ones of the spherical nuclei and the results of the UDL as well as the available experimental data. Comparison indicates that our calculated cluster and α-decay half-lives considering deformation reproduce the experimental data more accurately than the UDL and the spherical nuclei. Furthermore, the cluster radioactivity half-lives of some isotopes that whose cluster radioactivity is energetically allowed but not observed preciously yet, are predicted. Also, the cluster and the α-decay half-lives and the branching ratios between them for some not yet discovered superheavy isotopes with Z=122 and Z=124 are obtained.

Study of binary fragmentation dynamics of 260Rf compound nucleus at an excitation energy of 85.7 MeV

The fission dynamics has been studied for a near super heavy compound nucleus 260Rf populated through 28Si + 232Th reaction at an excitation energy of 85.7 MeV. Full momentum transfer binary events were separated from the transfer induced fission events. The contribution from transfer induced fission has been found to be 7±2%. Mas ratio distribution, mass-total kinetic energy (TKE), and mass angle correlation have been extracted for the full momentum transfer events using two body kinematics. The experimentally extracted width of mass distribution is higher than the mass width calculated theoretically using the saddle-point model, which indicates the presence of non-compound nuclear fission in the reaction under study. The mass-TKE distribution obtained for 260Rf nucleus matches with the theoretical predictions from the Viola systematics and GEneral description of Fission observables (GEF) model. The mass-angle distribution for the reaction under study indicates no significant correlation between the mass and emission angles of the fission fragments.

Production of superheavy nuclei in hot-fusion reactions

Production of superheavy nuclei in hot-fusion reactions

Predictions for the Alpha Decay of Z = 127–138 Super Heavy Nuclei Using the CYE Model

In recent years, the synthesis and identification of Superheavy elements have been of a great interest in the area of both experimental and theoretical nuclear physics. Using the CYE model, the alpha decay, cluster decay, and spontaneous fission in the heavy and superheavy nuclei have been studied. In the current work, we will investigate the α decay and obtain cluster decay half lifetimes in the interval Z = 127–138 and the spontaneous fission half lifetimes using the two-sphere approximation and will compare the results with the other theoretical values and the semiempirical formula by Xu et al. We believe that the predicted decay half-lifetimes are valuable for future tests, because they are in a good agreement with other theoretical formalisms.