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Nuclear Physicists Are Closer Than Ever to the Elusive Double Magic Nuclei

Jessica McCarthy
Nuclear Fusion Energy Reactor Plasma Art Illustration
Research into double magic nuclei is progressing, focusing on creating stable, superheavy elements through innovative nuclear reactions. This work aims to unlock potential new materials and deepen our understanding of atomic forces. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Advancements in nuclear physics may soon enable the creation of stable, superheavy nuclei, paving the way for new materials and insights into atomic stability.

A team of scientists has made significant advancements in the quest to create new, long-lasting superheavy nuclei. These double magic nuclei, which have a precise number of protons and neutrons that form a highly stable configuration, are exceptionally resistant to decay. Their research could deepen our understanding of the forces that bind atoms and pave the way for the development of new materials with unique properties. This work brings us a step closer to the so-called “Island of Stability,” a theoretical region in the nuclei chart where it’s believed some nuclei could exist far longer than those created so far.

Schematic Diagram of the
In nuclear physics, the “island of stability ” refers to a hypothesized group of heavier transuranium isotopes, predicted to be significantly more stable than their neighboring isotopes, with expected half-lives ranging from minutes or days to, according to some optimists, even millions of years. Various theoretical methods have predicted the center of the “island of stability ” to be at Z=114,120,124 or 126 and N=184. Credit: Minghao Zhang

Key Findings in the Search for “Island of Stability”

The study, led by Professor Feng-Shou Zhang, has predicted promising reactions between different elements that could be used in experiments to create double magic nuclei. One key discovery involves a reaction between a special type of radioactive calcium isotope and a plutonium target, which could produce the predicted double magic nuclei 298Fl. Another potential double magic nuclei, 304120, could be created by combining vanadium and berkelium, although this reaction is currently less likely to succeed.

Schematic of Fusion Reaction Within Dinuclear System Model Framework
The dinuclear system model has proven to be a reliable tool for reproducing experimental results of fusion reactions. In this model, the projectile and target nuclei must overcome the Coulomb barrier to form a dinuclear system. Subsequently, nucleons are transferred from the projectile to the target, leading to the formation of a compound nucleus. To reach its ground state, the compound nucleus must then evaporate neutrons. Credit: Minghao Zhang

Exploring New Paths in Nuclear Science

The idea of creating these superheavy nuclei is exciting because they could offer new insights into atomic structure and possibly lead to the development of advanced materials. If these elements can be made and remain stable, they might have unique properties that could be useful in various scientific fields.

Comparison of Calculated Evaporation Residue Cross-Section From Model and Experimental Data
Comparison of the calculated evaporation residue cross-section given by the DNS model and the experimental data. Credit: Minghao Zhang

Innovative Techniques Lead the Way

To make these discoveries, the research team used advanced theoretical models designed to study heavy ion collisions. By carefully choosing the right combinations of projectiles and targets, the scientists have laid out a clear path for future experiments that could bring us closer to achieving these goals.

Predicted Evaporation Residue Cross-Section for Synthesizing Predicted Double Magic Nucleus 298Fl
Based on the dinuclear system model, the radioactive projectile 58Ca and the 244Pu target are predicted to be favorable for producing the predicted double-magic nucleus 298Fl. Additionally, this research investigates the synthesis of another predicted double-magic nucleus, 304120, with the 58V +249Bk reaction to be optimal. Credit: Minghao Zhang

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the progress, there are still challenges ahead, such as improving the efficiency of these reactions. However, this research brings us closer to understanding the “Island of Stability” and the intriguing possibilities it holds. The work not only advances the field of nuclear physics but also sets the stage for future discoveries that could have wide-ranging impacts on science and technology.

This research was conducted in collaboration with Beijing Normal University, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Guangxi University, and the National Laboratory of Heavy Ion Accelerator of Lanzhou.

Reference: “Possibility of reaching the predicted center of the “island of stability” via the radioactive beam-induced fusion reactions” by Ming-Hao Zhang, Ying Zou, Mei-Chen Wang, Gen Zhang, Qing-Lin Niu and Feng-Shou Zhang, 4 September 2024, Nuclear Science and Techniques.
DOI: 10.1007/s41365-024-01542-x

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