Phys.org October 22, 2024
An international team of researchers (USA – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, San Jose State University, Oregon State University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Texas A&M University, UC Berkeley, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Sweden, France, UK, Switzerland) tested a new method for observing the element livermorium, which has 116 protons in its atomic nucleus. The superheavy elements first required an accelerator to deliver an intense ion beam, which was then focused onto a target. The target consisted of a thin layer of an element heavier than uranium. The product formed during the fusion reaction could be registered in a detector system after an efficient separation. The livermorium experiment will continue for the rest of the year, after which the researchers plan to start work on trying to produce element number 120, which could take several years. This represents the first published measurement of the production of a superheavy element near the “island of stability,” with a beam of 50 and is an essential precursor in the pursuit of searching for new elements beyond =118. The research showed that the new method is a promising step forward for embarking on the mission to produce element 120, which would be the heaviest element to date… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Theoretical predictions of cross sections for the production of element =120. Credit: Phys. Rev. Lett. 133, 172502, 21 October 2024