Rate of decline of the production cross section of superheavy nuclei with Z=114–117 at high excitation energies

Abstract

The production cross sections of superheavy nuclei with charge numbers 114 − 117 are predicted in the (5 − 9)n-evaporation channels of the 48 Ca-induced complete fusion reactions for future experiments. The estimates of synthesis capabilities are based on a uniform and consistent set of input nuclear data provided by the multidimensional macroscopic-microscopic approach. The contributions of various factors to the final production cross section are discussed. As shown, the specific interplay between survival and fusion probabilities unexpectedly leads to a relatively slow decline of the total cross-sections with increasing excitation energy. This effect is supported by a favorable arrangement of fission barriers protecting the compound nucleus against splitting concerning energetic thresholds for the emission of successive neutrons. In particular, the probabilities of the formation of superheavy nuclei in the 5n-, 6n-, and in some cases even in 7n-evaporation channels are still promising. This may offer a new opportunity for the future synthesis of unknown neutron-deficient superheavy isotopes.

Potential energy surfaces and fission fragment mass yields of even-even superheavy nuclei *

“…Further attempts to synthesize Z = 119,120 isotopes are in progress, (see [8,9]). Several theoretical studies were also performed in the past years to investigate the properties, possible decay modes, and fission fragment mass yields [10][11][12][13][14][15][16], as well as the synthesis possibility of nuclei in this region [17][18][19][20].…”

Theoretical study on the favored alpha-decay half-lives of deformed nuclei

“…To date, transuranium nuclides with Z 118 have been synthesized and studied experimentally and theoretically [1][2][3][4][5]. One of the most dominant decays for these radioactive nuclei is α-decay, which is a powerful and precise tool to probe the nuclear structure, including half-life, αclustering, the shell effect, and deformation [6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”