Scientists discover new seaborgium isotope: revolution in nuclear research!

Scientists discover new seaborgium isotope: revolution in nuclear research!

An international research team led by the Society for Heavy Ion Research (GSI/FAIR), the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and the Helmholtz Institute Mainz (HIM) has produced a new isotope of the superheavy element seaborgium. In experiments at the GSI/FAIR accelerator facilities, the scientists succeeded in detecting 22 atomic nuclei of seaborgium-257. These results were published in the renowned journal Physical Review Letters and were awarded “Editor’s Suggestion,” underlining the importance of the discovery.

With the discovery of seaborgium-257, the list of known isotopes of this artificially created element grows to a total of 14. Seaborgium, which has the atomic number 106, was created by intensely directing a chromium-52 beam onto a thin layer of lead-206. A state-of-the-art detection system used on the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA enabled the detection of 21 spontaneous fission decays and one alpha decay.

Half-life and its implications

The half-life of the newly discovered isotope is only 12.6 milliseconds. This impressively shows the short-lived nature of superheavy elements, which usually decay in fractions of a second. The isotope has a neutron number of 152, which in nuclear physics is often associated with special shell effects, which has recently been supported by research results also in connection with the fission properties of these nuclei.

The researchers assume that the next lightest isotope, seaborgium-256, could have a possible fission in the time range of one nanosecond to six microseconds. These findings are in the context of the stability-enhancing effects observed through the so-called K-isomeric states of seaborgium. These could help open up indirect access to even shorter-lived nuclei.

The search for more stable nuclear configurations

The discovery of rutherfordium-252 via its K isomer state brought significant progress in researching the stability limit of superheavy nuclei. In addition, the first indications of a similar K isomeric state were observed in seaborgium-259. This is particularly exciting because many physicists, including Christoph Düllmann from the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry at the University of Mainz, are looking for longer-lived elements, often referred to as islands of stability.

Research into superheavy elements, which contain more than 104 protons and do not occur in nature, remains a central aspect of modern nuclear physics. Despite their extremely short half-times, such experiments enable a better understanding of the fundamental properties of superheavy nuclei, including how they are made, lifetime and chemical properties. The discoveries to date, such as the official recognition of elements 114 (flerovium) and 116 (livermorium) as well as the confirmed element 117, are significant milestones.

Complicated processes are used to produce these elements. The isotopes are created from lighter elements by nuclear fusion, with element 114, for example, bombarding a target made of neutron-rich plutonium isotopes with a beam of calcium isotopes. Such experiments have the potential to provide numerous new insights into the stability and chemical properties of superheavy elements.

The discovery of seaborgium-257 is not only a further step in the exploration of these fascinating elements, but also offers new perspectives for future research in nuclear physics and materials science.

For more information visit the website of GSI/FAIR, Superheavies and world of physics.