Investigation of the reaction 64Ni+238U being an option of synthesizing element 120

• DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2010.02.041
• Publication Date: 2010-02-20T09:47:47Z
• Authors: E.M. Kozulin; G.N. Knyazheva; I.M. Itkis; M.G. Itkis; A.A. Bogachev; L. Krupa; T.A. Loktev; S.V. Smirnov; V.I. Zagrebaev; J. Äystö; W.H. Trzaska; V.A. Rubchenya; E. Vardaci; A.M. Stefanini; M. Cinausero; L. Corradi; E. Fioretto; P. Mason; G.F. Prete; R. Silvestri; S. Beghini; G. Montagnoli; F. Scarlassara; F. Hanappe; S.V. Khlebnikov; J. Kliman; A. Brondi; A. Di Nitto; R. Moro; N. Gelli; S. Szilner
• Keywords: superheavy elements ; fusion ; fission ; entrance channels; Quasi-fission; Nuclear and High Energy Physics; Superheavy elements; Fusion–fission; 7. Clean energy; 01 natural sciences; Physique atomique et nucléaire; 0103 physical sciences; Superheavy elements; Fusion–fission; Quasi-fission; Fusion-fission

This study is concerned with the search for entrance channels suitable to synthesize elements with Z>118. Mass–energy distributions as well as capture cross-sections of fission-like fragments have been measured for the reactions 64Ni + 238U → 302120 and 48Ca + 238U → 286112 at energies near the Coulomb barrier. Compound nucleus fission cross-sections were estimated from the analysis of mass and total kinetic energy distributions. The cross-section drops three orders of magnitude for the formation of the compound nucleus with Z=120 obtained in the reaction 64Ni + 238U compared to the formation of the compound nucleus with Z=112 obtained in the reaction 48Ca + 238U at an excitation energy of the compound nucleus of about 45 MeV. From our analysis it turns out that the reaction 64Ni + 238U is not suitable for the synthesis of element Z=120.