Search

Journal of physics / Conference series 1643, 012181 (2020). doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1643/1/012181, Published by IOP Publ., Bristol

A search for production of the superheavy elements with atomic numbers 119 and 120 was performed in the 50Ti+249Bk and 50Ti+249Cf fusion-evaporation reactions, respectively, at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt, Germany. Over four months of irradiation, the 249Bk target partially decayed into 249Cf, which allowed for a simultaneous search for both elements. Neither was detected at cross-section sensitivity levels of 65 and 200 fb for the 50Ti+249Bk and 50Ti+249Cf reactions, respectively, at a midtarget beam energy of Elab=281.5 MeV. The nonobservation of elements 119 and 120 is discussed within the concept of fusion-evaporation reactions including various theoretical predictions on the fission-barrier heights of superheavy nuclei in the region of the island of stability. peerReviewed

An upgraded TASISpec setup, with the addition of a veto DSSD and the new Compex detector-germanium array, has been employed with the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung Darmstadt, to study flerovium (element 114) decay chains. The detector upgrades along with development of new analytical techniques have improved the sensitivity of the TASISpec setup for measuring α-photon coincidences. These improvements have been assessed with test reactions. The reaction 48Ca+206,207Pb was used for verification of experimental parameters such as transmission to implantation DSSD and target-segment to α-decay correlations. The reaction 48Ca+ nat Hf was used to produce several short-lived nuclei with multiple-α decay chains to investigate pile-up event deconvolution.

The isotopic distribution of nuclei produced in the 50Ti + 249Cf reaction has been studied at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt, which separates ions according to differences in magnetic rigidity. The bombardment was performed at an energy around the Bass barrier and with the TASCA magnetic fields set for collecting fusion-evaporation reaction products. Fifty-three isotopes located “north-east” of 208Pb were identified as recoiling products formed in non-fusion channels of the reaction. These recoils were implanted with energies in two distinct ranges; besides one with higher energy, a significant low-energy contribution was identified. The latter observation was not expected to occur according to kinematics of the known types of reactions, namely quasi-elastic, multi-nucleon transfer, deep-inelastic collisions or quasifission. The present observations are discussed within the framework of two-body kinematics passing through the formation of a composite system.

The isotopes 255,256,258Rf were produced in the fusion-evaporation reactions 50Ti + 207,208Pb and 50Ti + 209Bi at GSI Darmstadt, using the velocity filter SHIP. Total kinetic energies of fragments from spontaneous fission for these isotopes were evaluated with a correction to pulse-height defect.

The heaviest currently known nuclei, which have up to 118 protons, have been produced in 48Ca induced reactions with actinide targets. Among them, the element tennessine (Ts), which has 117 protons, has been synthesized by fusing 48Ca with the radioactive target 249Bk, which has a half-life of 327 d. The experiment was performed at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA. Two long and two short α decay chains were observed. The long chains were attributed to the decay of 294Ts. The possible origin of the short-decay chains is discussed in comparison with the known experimental data. They are found to fit with the decay chain patterns attributed to 293Ts. The present experimental results confirm the previous findings at the Dubna Gas-Filled Recoil Separator on the decay chains originating from the nuclei assigned to Ts.

After publication of the paper, the authors noticed some errors in the affiliations. Their correct version is given in this erratum.

Products of the fusion-evaporation reaction 48Ca + 243Am were studied with the TASISpec set-up at the gas-filled separator TASCA at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany. Amongst the detected thirty correlated α-decay chains associated with the production of element Z=115, two recoil-α-fission and five recoil-α-α-fission events were observed. The latter five chains are similar to four such events reported from experiments performed at the Dubna gas-filled separator, and three such events reported from an experiment at the Berkeley gas-filled separator. The four chains observed at the Dubna gas-filled separator were assigned to start from the 2n-evaporation channel 289115 due to the fact that these recoil-α-α-fission events were observed only at low excitation energies. Contrary to this interpretation, we suggest that some of these recoil-α-α-fission decay chains, as well as some of the recoil-α-α-fission and recoil-α-fission decay chains reported from Berkeley and in this article, start from the 3n-evaporation channel 288115.

Acta physica Polonica / B Particle physics and field theory, nuclear physics, theory of relativity 51(1), 39 (2020). doi:10.5506/APhysPolB.51.39, Published by Inst. of Physics, Jagellonian Univ., Cracow

Short-lived α-decaying nuclei "northeast" of 208Pb in the chart of nuclides were studied using the reaction 48Ca+243Am with the decay station TASISpec at TASCA, GSI Darmstadt. Decay energies and times from pile-up events were extracted with a tailor-made pulse-shape analysis routine and specific α-decay chains were identified in a correlation analysis. Decay chains starting with the even-even 220Ra and its odd-A neighbors, 219Fr, and 219,221Ra, with a focus on the 219Ra→215Rn decay, were studied by means of α-γ spectroscopy. A revised α-decay scheme of 219Ra is proposed, including a new decay branch from a previously not considered isomeric state at 17 keV excitation energy. Conclusions on nuclear structure are drawn from the experimental data, aided by Geant4 simulations and a discussion on theoretical calculations. (Less)

The production of the heaviest elements in fusion-evaporation reactions is substantially limited by very low cross sections, as fusion cross sections (including fusion-fission) are greatly reduced by the competing quasifission mechanism. Using the Australian National University Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility and CUBE detector array, fission fragments from the $^{48}\mathrm{Ti}+^{204,208}\mathrm{Pb}$ and $^{50}\mathrm{Ti}+^{206,208}\mathrm{Pb}$ reactions have been measured, with the aim to investigate how the competition between quasifission and fusion-fission evolves with small changes in entrance-channel properties associated mainly with the nuclear structure. Analysis of mass-distribution widths of strongly mass-angle-correlated fission fragments within the framework of the compound-nucleus fission theory demonstrates significant differences in quasifission (and therefore fusion) probabilities among the four reactions. The impact of nuclear structure on fusion highlights the importance of future radioactive beams.

In deep inelastic multinucleon transfer reactions of 48 Ca + 248 Cm we observed about 100 residual nuclei with proton numbers between Z = 82 and Z = 100 . Among them, there are five new neutron-deficient isotopes: 216 U, 219 Np, 223 Am, 229 Am and 233 Bk. As separator for the transfer products we used the velocity filter SHIP of GSI while the isotope identification was performed via the α decay chains of the nuclei. These first results reveal that multinucleon transfer reactions together with here applied fast and sensitive separation and detection techniques are promising for the synthesis of new isotopes in the region of heaviest nuclei.

After a successful production of isotopes of element 116 in the reaction 48Ca + 248Cm, the reaction 54Cr + 248Cm → 302120* was investigated at the velocity filter SHIP at GSI, Darmstadt, aiming to search for isotopes of element 120. One chain of events was observed, which is not created by chance with high probability. Parts of the chain agree with model predictions and measured data from a decay chain which could start at the isotope 299120. In a complementary study, model dependent shell-correction energies and related heights of fission barriers were deduced from measured Qα values. The results are compared with predictions of macroscopic-microscopic models. The consequences for calculations of crosssections are discussed.

The new neutron-deficient nuclei 240 Es and 236 Bk were synthesised at the gas-filled recoil separator RITU. They were identified by their radioactive decay chains starting from 240 Es produced in the fusion–evaporation reaction 209 Bi( 34 S,3n) 240 Es. Half-lives of 6 ( 2 ) s and 22 − 6 + 13 s were obtained for 240 Es and 236 Bk, respectively. Two groups of α particles with energies E α = 8.19 ( 3 ) MeV and 8.09 ( 3 ) MeV were unambiguously assigned to 240 Es. Electron-capture delayed fission branches with probabilities of 0.16 ( 6 ) and 0.04 ( 2 ) were measured for 240 Es and 236 Bk, respectively. These new data show a continuation of the exponential increase of ECDF probabilities in more neutron-deficient isotopes.

Fission fragment mass distributions were measured in heavy-ion induced fission of 238U. The mass distributions changed drastically with incident energy. The results are explained by a change of the ratio between fusion and quasifission with nuclear orientation. A calculation based on a fluctuation dissipation model reproduced the mass distributions and their incident energy dependence. Fusion probability was determined in the analysis. Evaporation residue cross sections were calculated with a statistical model for the reactions of 30Si+238U and 34S+238U using the obtained fusion probability in the entrance channel. The results agree with the measured cross sections of 263,264Sg and 267,268Hs, produced by 30Si+238U and 34S+238U, respectively. It is also suggested that sub-barrier energies can be used for heavy element synthesis.

Electron capture decay of 258 Db was measured directly via delayed coincidences between K X-rays and/or conversion electrons (from the electron capture decay), and spontaneous fission or \(\alpha\) decay of the daughter nuclide 258Rf. Delayed K X-rays were also measured in prompt coincidence with conversion electrons, showing that electron capture decay also populates excited levels in the daughter nucleus. Our data indicate electron capture decay from two states in 258Db, thus supporting the existence of two long-lived states in 258Db with some seconds half-life already known from \( \alpha\)-decay studies. The analysis of correlations between photons, conversion electrons and fission events resulted in a strong evidence for population of two isomeric states in 258Rf by the electron capture decay of 258Db, with half-lives of \(T_{1/2} = (15 \pm 10)\) μs and \(T_{1/2} = (2.4^{+2.4}_{-0.8})\) ms. A previously reported \(\alpha\) branch of 258Rf was confirmed. However, we obtained a significantly lower branching ratio \( b_{\alpha} = (0.049 \pm 0.016)\). The technique is discussed as a possible new method for Z-identification of odd-odd superheavy nuclei.

Recently, we reported the observation of several new isotopes with proton numbers $Z \geq 92$ in low-energy collisions of 48Ca + 248Cm . The peculiarity is that the nuclei were produced in multinucleon transfer reactions, a method which is presently discussed as a possible new way to enter so far unknown regions in the upper part of the Chart of Nuclides. For separation of the transfer products we used a velocity filter, the Separator for Heavy Ion Reaction Products SHIP at GSI. The resulting strong background suppression allowed us to detect nuclei with cross-sections down to the sub-nanobarn scale. Beside the new isotopes we identified about 100 further target-like transfer products and determined their cross-sections. The results together with previous measurements strongly indicate that multinucleon transfer reactions are a viable pathway to the production of new transuranium isotopes.

Alpha- and Electron capture (EC) decay properties of 257 Rf were investigated by measuring $ \alpha$ - $ \gamma$ coincidences and correlations between conversion electrons (CE) emitted during the process of EC decay of 257Rf and $ \alpha$ decays of the daughter isotope 257Lr. So far, previously unobserved $ \alpha$ (8296 keV)- $ \gamma$ (557 keV) coincidences were measured and interpreted as decays of 257mRf ( $ 11/2^{-}[725]$ into the $ 7/2^{-}[743]$ level in 253No. A search of delayed coincidences between $ \alpha$ particles and signals at $ E \le 1000$ keV, which are interpreted as being due to CE emission, revealed a clear correlation between CE and $ \alpha$ particles from the decay of 257Lr, which is regarded as a direct proof of the EC decay of 257gRf and 257mRf.

The reaction 54Cr$ + $248Cm was investigated at the velocity filter SHIP at GSI, Darmstadt, with the intention to study production and decay properties of isotopes of element 120. Three correlated signals were measured, which occurred within a period of 279ms. The heights of the signals correspond with the expectations for a decay sequence starting with an isotope of element 120. However, a complete decay chain cannot be established, since a signal from the implantation of the evaporation residue cannot be identified unambiguously. Measured properties of the event chain are discussed in detail. The result is compared with theoretical predictions. Previously measured decay properties of even element super-heavy nuclei were compiled in order to find arguments for an assignment from the systematics of experimental data. In the course of this review, a few tentatively assigned data could be corrected. New interpretations are given for results which could not be assigned definitely in previous studies. The discussion revealed that the cross-section for production of element 120 could be high enough so that a successful experiment seems possible with presently available techniques. However, a continuation of the experiment at SHIP for a necessary confirmation of the results obtained in a relatively short irradiation of five weeks is not possible at GSI presently. Therefore, we decided to publish the results of the measurement and of the review as they exist now. In the summary and outlook section we also present concepts for the continuation of research in the field of super-heavy nuclei.

Shell-correction energies of super-heavy nuclei are approximated by using $ Q_{\alpha}$ values of measured decay chains. Five decay chains were analyzed, which start at the isotopes 285Fl, 294118, 291Lv, 292Lv and 293Lv. The data are compared with predictions of macroscopic-microscopic models. Fission barriers are estimated that can be used to eliminate uncertainties in partial fission half-lives and in calculations of evaporation-residue cross-sections. In that calculations, fission probability of the compound nucleus is a major factor contributing to the total cross-section. The data also provide constraints on the cross-sections of capture and quasi-fission in the entrance channel of the fusion reaction. Arguments are presented that fusion reactions for synthesis of isotopes of elements 118 and 120 may have higher cross-sections than assumed so far.

TRAKULA ( Tra nsmutationsrelevante k ernphysikalische U ntersuchungen l anglebiger A ktinide, i.e., nuclear physical investigations of long-lived actinides with relevance to transmutation) is a joint research project of the German Federal Ministry of Science and Education (BMBF) on nuclear physics investigations with modern scientific, technological and numerical methods. Experiments concerning the transmutation of radioactive waste are a central topic of the project. For this, large-area samples (≥40 cm 2 ) of 235,238 U and 239,242 Pu compounds are required for the calibration of fission chambers and for fission yield measurements. Another topic within the project requires large-area targets for precise measurements of the half-life, t 1/2 , of very long-lived α-particle emitters like 144 Nd ( t 1/2 ≈2×10 15 y). Here, we report on electrodeposition tests with Gd and Nd (used as chemical homologs of the actinides), which were performed to find optimal deposition conditions for small-area targets that should be applicable to future large-area targets. The layers were produced by molecular plating. A new stirring technique, ultrasonic stirring, was adopted and found to be suitable for producing large-area targets. Moreover, two different current densities (namely 0.7 and 1.4 mA/cm 2 ) were studied and found appropriate for target preparation. Characterization of the layers with different analytical techniques played a major role in these studies to gain a deeper understanding of the deposition process itself: neutron activation analysis and γ-spectroscopy were used for yield measurements, radiographic imaging for homogeneity studies, scanning electron microscopy for morphology studies, and atomic force microscopy for roughness studies. According to the obtained results, a new electrochemical cell for the production of large-area targets was designed.

For experiments performed with the HADES spectrometer (High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer) [1] at GSI a very extraordinary target set-up is required. Since these experiments are strongly background-dominated the alignment and mounting of the targets is crucial for the identification of the electron–positron pairs searched for as a decay product of the vector mesons. The positioning of the numerous target discs has to be done with accuracy better than ±200 μm and with a minimum of material around the targets. We describe the target design, the production of the different components and the mounting methods. Finally, an outlook on future target designs and ideas is given.

The isotopes 237, 238, 240Cf were produced in irradiations of 204, 206, 207Pb targets with 36S ions. At bombarding energies close to the Coulomb barrier two or three neutrons were evaporated from the compound nuclei 240, 242, 243Cf . Cross-sections were on the order of a few hundred nanobarns. For the isotope 240Cf a spontaneous fission branching of 0.015±0.002 was determined. The new isotope 236Cm was produced by $ \alpha$ decay of 240Cf and identified by $ \alpha$ - $ \alpha$ correlations. It decays with an $ \alpha$ -decay energy of (6954± 20)keV and a half-life of (410±50 s. For the first time, the $ \alpha$ decay of 237Cf was observed having an energy of (8081±20 keV. For the isotope 233Cm a half-life of ( 23+13 -6 s was measured for first time. Spontaneous fission of 237, 238Cf was confirmed and mass-excess values of the nuclei 236Cm and 237, 240Cf were determined.

The isotope 261Sg and its decay product 257Rf were produced in the nuclear reaction 208Pb(54Cr, n)261Sg . The radioactive decay of these isotopes was investigated by means of $ \alpha$ , $ \alpha$ - $ \gamma$ and/or $ \alpha$ -X-ray spectroscopy. Improved spectroscopic data concerning $ \alpha$ energies, $ \gamma$ transitions, tentative spin and parity assignments of low-lying Nilsson single-neutron orbitals are presented for these nuclei.

We investigated the capture stage and successive nucleon transfer from the projectile to the target in the superheavy system 6428Ni + 207 82Pb (Zproj. + Ztarget = 110) . The target-like transfer products were detected at forward angles of (0±2) degrees, such, we selected nuclei resulting from central collisions. The data reveal several analogies to cold fusion reactions leading to superheavy elements. The observations are in accordance with the two-center shell model. The experiments have been performed at the velocity filter SHIP at GSI.

The isotope 261Bh was produced in the reaction 209Bi(54Cr, 2n)261Bh and its \( \alpha\) decay has been remeasured. It was found that it populates by an unhindered transition of \( \approx\) 10 MeV an excited level at E * > 350 keV in the daughter nucleus 257Db . The latter decays by internal transitions either into the isomeric state or the ground state. A somewhat improved half-life value of T1/2 = 11.8+3.9-2.4 ms was obtained for 261Bh . The data support the previous assignment of the \( \alpha\) activities 257Db (1) and 257Db (2) to the isomer and to the ground state, respectively. No evidence for an isomeric state in 261Bh decaying by \( \alpha\) emission was found. Based on the experimental results and theoretical calculations a partial decay scheme of 261Bh including spin and parity assignments of the ground-state and excited levels in the daughter nucleus 257Db populated by the \( \alpha\) decay and succeeding internal transitions have been suggested. 261Bh represents so far the heaviest nucleus for which such an attempt has been made. No spontaneous fission (SF) events that could be attributed to 261Bh were observed, resulting in an SF branching bSF < 0.05 . The measured production cross-section is (64±15) pb at E * = 22 MeV.

In a series of experiments performed at the velocity filter SHIP, new or improved decay data of neutron-deficient isotopes of elements from mendelevium (Z = 101) to hassium (Z = 108) were obtained. In particular, evidence for $ \alpha$ -decay or electron capture from isomeric states in 265Hs and 258Db was found.

The radioactive decay of the isotopes 254-256Lr and their daughter products was investigated by means of α , prompt α -γ and delayed conversion electron-γ coincidence spectroscopy. The isotopes were produced using the reaction 48Ca + 209Bi .

At the FRS Ion Catcher at GSI, relativistic exotic ions produced by projectile fragmentation/fission are range-focused, slowed down and thermalised in a gas-filled stopping cell, extracted and made available to high-precision experiments with ions almost at rest. It is a prototype for a gas cell system at the Low-Energy Branch of the Super-FRS at FAIR. In an online experiment, the FRS Ion Catcher was commissioned successfully with relativistic nickel fragments. The overall efficiency of the system was measured as (1.8 ± 0.3)% and can be divided into a stopping efficiency of (5.0 ± 1.1)% and an extraction and transport efficiency of (35.8 ± 9.4)%. The overall efficiency is hence limited mostly by the stopping efficiency, which could be increased in the future by operating at higher gas cell pressures. From extraction time measurements of polyatomic ions formed in the gas cell extraction times of atomic ions of 20–50 ms can be derived. The potential of the system was illustrated by the half-life measurement of 54Co with a short half-life of 193 ms only. ispartof: Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research B vol:266 issue:19 pages:4493-4497 ispartof: location:FRANCE, Deauville status: published

Spontaneous fission of neutron-deficient fermium isotopes (N ≤ 144) was investigated. The nuclei were produced in fusion-evaporation reactions of 40Ar beams with 204,206–208Pb targets. Excitation functions of the two-and three-neutron evaporation channels were measured. The new isotope 241Fm was identified, and its decay properties were determined. A previously made assignment of a 0.8 ms spontaneous-fission activity to the isotope 242Fm could not be confirmed. Isomeric states were not observed in any of the investigated isotopes. The experiments were performed at the velocity filter SHIP of GSI in Darmstadt.

At GSI the gas-filled separator TASCA (TransActinide Separator and Chemistry Apparatus) was set up to investigate the chemical and physical properties of the heaviest elements making use of the highest beam intensities available [ www.gsi.de/tasca ; M. Schadel, D. Ackermann, A. Semchenkov, A. Turler, GSI Scientific Report 2005, GSI Report 2006-1, p. 262]. Appropriate backings and targets have to be developed. Conceivable backing materials are aluminium, titanium, and carbon. Aluminium backings and titanium backings in different thickness and from different companies are produced by cold rolling. Deposition by resistance heating is applied for carbon backings. For experiments in a chemically active atmosphere, beryllium has to be employed as backing, which is commercially available and produced by cold rolling. The task is to find the best material and thickness for backings to withstand two different processes: the electrodeposition, applied for the production of lanthanide and actinide targets at the Institut fur Kernchemie, at the Universitat Mainz [K. Eberhardt, et al., Contribution to this conference; D. Liebe, et al., Contribution to this conference], on the one hand, and deposition by thermal evaporation and sputtering on the other. We report on first tests with targets of uranium tetrafluoride (UF 4 ) and metallic uranium on various backings. In addition, the behaviour and durability will be described for the different backing–target combinations in a C-beam and in an Mg beam. For the upcoming beam time U, 208 PbS, 144 Sm, 154 Sm, and Gd are required.

An overview of present experimental investigation of superheavy elements is given. The data are compared with theoretical descriptions. Results are reported from an experiment to confirm production of element 112 isotopes in irradiation of 238 UF 4 with 48 Ca . One spontaneous fission event was measured, which agrees with three events of previously measured data which had been assigned to the decay of 283112. However, more experimental work is needed in order to obtain an independent and unambiguous confirmation of previous results.

International audience; New decay data for the isotopes 259Sg and 255Rf were obtained at the velocity filter SHIP using an α-decay spectroscopymeasurement. Both isotopes were produced and studied via a one neutron evaporation channel in the compound fusion reaction54Cr+208Pb. New isomeric states were observed and the single-particle level systematics for isotones with 151 and 153 neutronswere extended. A change of the ground-state configuration for the heaviest N = 151 isotones was observed. Detailed Monte-Carlosimulation for the α decay of 259Sg applying the Geant4 toolkit was performed and compared with experimental data.

We performed experimental and theoretical studies of deep inelastic multinucleon transfer reactions in heavy-ion collisions at Coulomb barrier energies. Our goal was to investigate if deep inelastic transfer is superior to fragmentation reactions for producing neutron-rich isotopes in the astrophysically interesting region along the closed neutron shell N = 126 . Here, we will present our results obtained in reactions of 64Ni + 207Pb at 5.0 MeV/nucleon. The experiment was performed at the velocity filter SHIP at GSI Darmstadt. Several transfer products on the neutron-rich side were populated but new isotopes were not observed. A comparison of the measured transfer cross-sections and production yields with those from fragmentation reactions allowed for interesting conclusions.

A superconducting fragment separator (Super-FRS) is being designed for the production and separation of radioactive isotopes at the future FAIR (Facility for Antiprotons and Ion Research) facility at Darmstadt. This paper discusses various aspects and requirements for the high-power production target that will be used in the Super-FRS experiments. The production target must survive over an extended period of time as it will be used during the course of many experiments. The specific power deposited by the high intensity beam that will be generated at the future FAIR facility will be high enough to destroy the target in most of the cases as a result of a single shot from the new heavy ion synchrotrons SIS100/300. By using an appropriate beam intensity and focal spot parameters, the target would survive after being irradiated once. However, the heat should be dissipated efficiently before the same target area is irradiated again. We have considered a wheel shaped solid carbon target that rotates around its axis so that different areas of the target are irradiated successively. This allows for cooling of the beam heated region by thermal conduction before the same part of the target is irradiated a second time. Another attractive option is to use a liquid jet target at the Super-FRS. First calculations of a possible liquid lithium target are also presented in this paper. One of the advantages of using lithium as a target is that it will survive even if one uses a smaller focal spot, which has half the area of that used for a solid carbon target. This will significantly improve the isotope resolution.A similar problem associated with these experiments will be safe deposition of the beam energy in a beamdump after its interaction with the production target. We also present calculations to study the suitability of a proposed beamdump.

Aiming at an increase in the identification ability and higher sensitivity in the experiments on the synthesis and study of the decay properties of superheavy nuclei, the separator VASSILISSA has been upgraded. After preparatory experiments, the experiment aiming at the synthesis of the isotope 283 112 in the reaction 48 Ca + 238 U was performed. The obtained results on the decay mode, half-life and production cross-section are in agreement with those obtained in our first experiment.

The nuclear shell model predicts that the next doubly magic shell-closure beyond 208 Pb is at a proton number Z = 114, 120, or 126 and at a neutron number N = 172 or 184. The outstanding aim of experimental investigations is the exploration of this region of spherical ‘Super-Heavy Elements’ (SHEs). The measured decay data reveal that for the heaviest elements, the dominant decay mode is α emission, not fission. Decay properties as well as reaction cross-sections are compared with results of theoretical investigations. Finally, plans are presented for the further development of the experimental set-up and the application of new techniques.At a higher sensitivity, the exploration of the region of spherical SHEs now becomes feasible, more than thirty years after its prediction.

Detailed fine-structure $\alpha$ -decay studies of 188,190Bi were performed using the complete-fusion reactions of 50,52Cr ions with a 142Nd target at the velocity filter SHIP. The evaporation residues were separated in-flight and subsequently identified on the basis of recoil- $\alpha$ , recoil- $\alpha$ - $\gamma$ /X-ray and excitation function measurements. Improved data on the $\alpha$ -decay of 188,190Bi were obtained and a number of new low-lying excited states in the daughters 184,186Tl were observed. An intruder, presumably 10- state was identified in 184Tl, extending the systematics of such states in the odd-odd Tl nuclei beyond the neutron mid-shell at N = 104. Some technical aspects of experiment at recoil separators are also discussed.

The relative momentum spread of in-flight separated exotic nuclear beams produced in fragmentation and/or fission reactions is of the order of a few percent. A new technique is presented, which reduces the momentum spread significantly, and first experimental results obtained with relativistic projectile fragments are shown. This technique is the key to experiments with slowed-down and stopped beams, in particular for the efficient stopping of relativistic exotic nuclei in gas-filled stopping cells. It will be employed at the energy-buncher stage of the low-energy branch of the Super-FRS facility. The ion-optical design of the energy buncher is presented and a brief outlook to the experimental program is given.

The high-power production target of the Super-FRS [H. Geissel et al., these Proceedings] will be irradiated by very intense heavy-ion beams which will be delivered from the future SIS100/200 [An International Accelerator Facility for Beams of Ions and Antiprotons, GSI-Report, 2001] synchrotron facility at the Gesellschaft fur Schwerionenforschung (GSI) Darmstadt. This paper presents calculations of the thermodynamic and the hydrodynamic response of such a target, considering that a uranium ion beam with an energy of 1 GeV/u and an intensity of 10 12 particles will impinge within 50 ns on a solid carbon target with a thickness of 4 g/cm 2 . Due to the high beam intensity the target may be strongly heated and could be destroyed in a single shot. The purpose of this work is to investigate with the help of two-dimensional numerical simulations how one can minimize target heating and avoid traget destruction.

The superheavy element with atomic number Z=117 was produced as an evaporation residue in the 48Ca+249Bk fusion reaction at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt, Germany. The radioactive decay of evaporation residues and their α-decay products was studied using a detection setup that allowed measuring decays of single atomic nuclei with half-lives between sub-μs and a few days. Two decay chains comprising seven α decays and a spontaneous fission each were identified and are assigned to the isotope 294-117 and its decay products. A hitherto unknown α-decay branch in 270Db (Z=105) was observed, which populated the new isotope 266Lr (Z=103). The identification of the long-lived (T1/2=1.0+1.9−0.4 h) α-emitter 270Db marks an important step towards the observation of even more long-lived nuclei of superheavy elements located on an “island of stability.” (Less)

Produced in the reaction 48Ca+243Am, thirty correlated α-decay chains were observed in an experiment conducted at the GSI Helmholzzentrum fur Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany. The decay chains are basically consistent with previous findings and are considered to originate from isotopes of element 115 with mass numbers 287, 288, and 289. A set-up aiming specifically for high-resolution charged particle and photon coincidence spectroscopy was placed behind the gas-filled separator TASCA. For the first time, γ rays as well as X-ray candidates were observed in prompt coincidence with the α-decay chains of element 115.

We investigated multi-nucleon transfer reactions in collisions of 58Ni + 207Pb and 64Ni + 207Pb at Coulomb barrier energies. The new aspect is that we used a velocity filter (SHIP at GSI) for the separation of the heavy target-like transfer products from background events. The isotopic identification was performed via the $ \alpha$ decay properties of the reaction products. The goal of the experiment was to study the characteristics of multi-nucleon transfer reactions in the region of heavy nuclei and the applicability of existing separation and detection techniques, which are usually used for identification of heavy fusion-evaporation residues, to heavy transfer products. This was motivated by recent theoretical results from macroscopic-microscopic models which suggest deep inelastic transfer reactions in heavy systems as a means to produce new neutron-rich isotopes in the region of N = 126 and in the region of superheavy nuclei. In this paper we present the isotopic yields, the excitation functions and the excitation energies of the heavy transfer products with Z > 82 as well as the influence of shell effects on the reaction products. The influence of the different neutron numbers of the projectiles is also discussed.

In recent experiments at the velocity filter Separator for Heavy Ion reaction Products (SHIP) (GSI, Darmstadt), an extended and improved set of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay data for more than 20 of the most neutron-deficient isotopes in the region from lead to thorium was obtained. The combined analysis of this newly available $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay data, of which the $^{186}\mathrm{Po}$ decay is reported here, allowed us for the first time to clearly show that crossing the $Z=82$ shell to higher proton numbers strongly accelerates the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay. From the experimental data, the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle formation probabilities are deduced following the Universal Decay Law approach. The formation probabilities are discussed in the framework of the pairing force acting among the protons and the neutrons forming the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particle. A striking resemblance between the phenomenological pairing gap deduced from experimental binding energies and the formation probabilities is noted. These findings support the conjecture that both the $N=126$ and $Z=82$ shell closures strongly influence the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-formation probability.

Decay properties of the very neutron-deficient isotopes ${}^{197\char21{}199}$Fr were studied at the velocity filter Separator for Heavy Ion reaction Products (SHIP) at GSI in Darmstadt. The isotopes were produced in the $2n\char21{}4n$ evaporation channels of the fusion-evaporation reaction ${}^{60}$Ni+${}^{141}$Pr $\ensuremath{\rightarrow}$ ${}^{201}$Fr*. Improved $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay properties of ${}^{199}$Fr were determined and the possible existence of two $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decaying states in this nucleus is discussed. For the isotope ${}^{198}$Fr a broad $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay energy distribution was detected in the range of $(7470\char21{}7930)$ keV and two $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decaying states were observed with half-lives of 1.1(7) and 15(3) ms. The new isotope ${}^{197}$Fr was identified based on the observation of one $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay chain yielding ${E}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}=7728(15)$ keV and ${T}_{1/2}=0.{6}_{\ensuremath{-}0.3}^{+3.0}$ ms. The systematics of reduced $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay widths are presented for neutron-deficient francium, radon, and astatine isotopes.

By using the technique of correlating implanted evaporation residues and their subsequent fission decay, $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed fission ($\ensuremath{\beta}$DF) of ${}^{186}$Bi has been identified for the first time and $\ensuremath{\beta}$DF of ${}^{188}$Bi has been unambiguously confirmed. The experiments were performed at the velocity filter SHIP (GSI, Darmstadt). The $\ensuremath{\beta}$DF probabilities for both nuclides were qualitatively estimated, and, in particular indications for a large value in the case of ${}^{186}$Bi are regarded.

The fission process still remains a main factor that determines the stability of the atomic nucleus of heaviest elements. Fission half-lives vary over a wide range, 10^−19 to 10^24 s. Present experimental techniques for the synthesis of the superheavy elements that usually measure α-decay chains are sensitive only in a limited range of half-lives, often 10^5 to 10^3 s. In the past years, measurement techniques for very short-lived and very long-lived nuclei were significantly improved at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt. Recently, several experimental studies of fission-related phenomena have successfully been performed. In this paper, results on 254−256Rf and 266Lr are presented and corresponding factors for retarding the fission process are discussed. (Less)

The synthesis of element 116 in fusion-evaporation reactions of a 48Ca beam with radioactive 248Cm targets was studied at the velocity filter SHIP of GSI in Darmstadt. At excitation energies of the compound nuclei of 40.9MeV, four decay chains were measured, which were assigned to the isotope 292116, and one chain, which was assigned to 293116. Measured cross-sections of (3.4−1.6+2.7) pb and (0.9−0.7+2.1), respectively, and decay data of the chains agree with data measured previously at the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions in Dubna. As a new result, one α-decay chain was measured, which terminates after four α decays by spontaneous fission. The α energies of the second-to-fourth decay are considerably higher than those measured for the α decays of 289114, 285Cn, and 281Ds and the spontaneous fission half-life is significantly longer than that of 277Hs measured in previous experiments. A possible assignment is discussed in the frame of excited quasiparticle states of nuclei populated in the decay chain from 293116. Also other possible assignments were considered and are discussed. At an excitation energy of 45.0MeV no events were observed resulting in a one-event cross-section limit of 1.6 pb. The technical aspects related with the use of radioactive target material at SHIP are described in detail. The experience gained in this experiment will serve as a basis for future experiments aiming to study still heavier elements at the velocity filter SHIP.