Synthetic Paths to the Heaviest Elements

TL;DR

This paper reviews the theoretical framework and experimental results related to the synthesis of heavy elements, focusing on the probabilities of fusion, survival, and the potential of using radioactive beams and damped collisions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing heavy element synthesis and explores new methods like radioactive beams and damped collisions for producing superheavy nuclei.

Findings

Experimental characterization of fusion probabilities

Analysis of survival probabilities in heavy element synthesis

Potential of radioactive beams and damped collisions for new element production

Abstract

The cross section for producing a heavy reaction product, $\sigma$$_{EVR}$, can be represented by the equation \sigma_{EVR} = \sum_{J=0}^{J_\max} \sigma_{capture} (E_{c.m.},J) P_{CN} (E^*,J) W_{sur}(E^*,J), where $\sigma_{capture}(E_{c.m.},J)$ is the capture cross section at center of mass energy E$_{c.m.}$ and spin J. P$_{CN}$ is the probability that the projectile-target system will evolve from the contact configuration inside the fission saddle point to form a completely fused system rather than re-separating (quasifission, fast fission). W$_{sur}$ is the probability that the completely fused system will de-excite by neutron emission rather than fission. I discuss results of experiments that characterize these quantities in heavy element synthesis reactions. I also discuss the possibilities of synthesizing heavy nuclei using damped collisions and reactions using radioactive beams.