On the stability of super-heavy nuclei

Abstract

The potential-energy surfaces of an extended set of heavy and super-heavy even-even nuclei with $92\le Z\le 126$ and isospins $40\le N-Z\le 74$ are evaluated within the recently developed Fourier shape parametrization. Ground-state and decay properties are studied for 324 different even-even isotopes in a four-dimensional deformation space, defined by non-axiality, quadrupole, octupole, and hexadecapole degrees of freedom. Nuclear deformation energies are evaluated in the framework of the macroscopic-microscopic approach, with the Lublin-Strasbourg-Drop model and a Yukawa-folded mean-field potential. The evolution of the ground-state equilibrium shape (and possible isomeric, metastable states) is studied as a function of $Z$ and $N$. Alpha-decay $Q$-values and half-lives, as well as fission-barrier heights, are deduced. In order to understand the transition from asymmetric to symmetric fission along the Fm isotopic chain, the properties of all identified fission paths are investigated. Good agreement is found with experimental data wherever available. New interesting features about the population of different fission modes for nuclei beyond Fm are predicted.

arXiv comment17 pages, 16 figures

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Cited by in corpus (8)

• Properties of heaviest nuclei with $98\le Z\le 126$ and $134\le N\le 192$
• Static fission properties of actinide nuclei
• Description of the multidimensional potential energy surface in fission of ${}^{252}$Cf and ${}^{258}$No
• Potential energy surfaces and fission fragment mass yields of even-even superheavy nuclei
• Structural properties and decay modes of Z $=$ 122, 120 and 118 superheavy nuclei
• On the Stability of Superheavy Nuclei
• Distinguishing fission-like events from deep-inelastic collisions
• Microscopic pairing in fission dynamics