April 2010

Journal

Synthesis of a new element with atomic number Z=117

By:
Oganessian, Yuri; Abdullin, F.; Bailey, Porter D; Benker, Dennis E; Bennett, M.; Dmitriev, S.; Ezold, Julie G; Hamilton, J. H.; Henderson, R.; Itkis, M.; Lobanov, Yu.; Mezentsev, A.; Moody, K.; Nelson, S.; Polyakov, A.; Porter, Curtis E; Ramayya, A. V.; Riley, F.; Roberto, James B; Ryabinin, M.; Rykaczewski, Krzysztof P; Sagaidak, R.; Shaughnessy, D.; Shirokovsky, I.; Stoyer, M.; Subbotin, V.; Sudowe, R.; Sukhov, A.; Tsyganov, Yu.; Utyonkov, V.; Voinov, A.; Vostokin, G.; Wilk, P.
Journal Name:
Physical Review Letters
Page Number:
142502
Volume:
104
Issue Number:
14
Publication Date:
April 2010
View DOI Listing:
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.142502

Abstract

The discovery of a new chemical element with atomic number Z=117 is reported. The isotopes 293117 and 294117 were produced in fusion reactions between 48Ca and 249Bk. Decay chains involving eleven new nuclei were identified by means of the Dubna Gas Filled Recoil Separator. The measured decay properties show a strong rise of stability for heavier isotopes with Z111, validating the concept of the long sought island of enhanced stability for super-heavy nuclei.