SUPERHEAVY NUCLEI

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1958 · Physical Review (U.S.) Superseded in part by Phys. Rev. A, Phys. Rev. B: Solid State, Phys. Rev. C, and Phys. Rev. D

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.109.126· OSTI ID:4313004

Werner, F G; Wheeler, J A

The semiempirical mass formula and other data previously extrapolated indicated possible existence of nuclei with mass values up to twice the largest now known. Here this mass region is further explored. Extrapolations are revised and the properties of such superheavy nuclei are estimated in more detail. Despite Z values substantially higher than 137, the K electrons behave perfectly normally because of the finite extension of the nucleus. Vacuum to make relatively minor alterations in the K electron binding---which exceeds mc/sup 2/. The effect of nuclear attraction in speeding up beta decay is calculated approximately. sec. Beta decay energies and neutron binding energies are calculated from the semiempirical mass formula. Fission barriers and cross sections for the (n, gamma ) process are estimated. Branching ratios in beta decay are calculated for the processes of simple beta decay and for "delayed'' neutron emission and delayed'' fission. The latter quantity sets an irreducible minimum to the losses that occur in the process of buildup under even the heaviest neutron flux. The calculated fractional yield of nuclei which react Z == 147, A = 500 is >0.05. Under a lower flux the losses are greater. All stability calculations in this paper depend upon substantial extrapolations, with complete disregard of shell effects and other particularities that may be important, and therefore can be completely in error. Conversely, observation of existence or absence of superheavy nuclei with lives less than a second should test stringently the semiempirical mass formola and the semiempirical estimates of spontaneous fission barriers. (auth)

• Research Organization: Princeton Univ., N.J.
• NSA Number: NSA-12-004414
• OSTI ID: 4313004
• Journal Information: Physical Review (U.S.) Superseded in part by Phys. Rev. A, Phys. Rev. B: Solid State, Phys. Rev. C, and Phys. Rev. D, Vol. Vol: 109; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-58
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

PHYSICS
ATOMIC MODELS
ATOMIC NUMBER
ATOMS
BARRIERS
BETA DECAY
BINDING ENERGY
CROSS SECTIONS
DELAYED NEUTRONS
ELECTRIC CHARGES
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
ENERGY
EQUATIONS
ERRORS
FISSION
GAMMA RADIATION
HALF-LIFE
LIQUID DROP MODEL
LOSSES
MASS
MASS NUMBER
NEUTRON FLUX
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR MODELS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEI
NUMERICALS
POLARIZATION
STABILITY
VACUUM