One of the most sought-after goals in nuclear physics is an understanding of the structure of superheavy elements in the so-called "island of stability". These nuclei contain a large number of protons, and would ordinarily be ripped apart by the strong Coulomb repulsion between them. However, quantum mechanical shell-effects act to stabilize the nuclei, meaning that they can then live long enough to be observed in the laboratory.
In order to understand these "shell effects", detailed experimental studies are needed. Such studies are unfortunately precluded by the fact that superheavy elements can only be produced in small numbers (sometimes only a few atoms per month). It is, however, possible to study lighter nuclei in more detail. These studies can be used to gain indirect information on the island of stability.
Now, experimental advances at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä (JYFL-ACCLAB), Finland, have meant that it has been possible to study the nucleus 256Rf in detail for the first time. The facilities at JYFL-ACCLAB are currently the only ones worldwide which permit such studies to be carried out. The 256Rf nucleus has 104 protons, which corresponds to the accepted gateway to the superheavy elements. The 256Rf nucleus is the heaviest which has so far been studied in this manner.
The experiment was carried out in close collaboration with a number of international partners, notably IPHC Strasbourg that developed the required ion beam and the University of Liverpool and Daresbury Laboratory, which developed the data acquisition system employed. The study forms part of the ERC Starting Grant project "SHESTRUCT" led by Research Professor Paul Greenlees at the University of Jyväskylä.
The original article published in the 3rd July Physical Review Letters can be found here: P.T.Greenlees et al., http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v109/i1/e012501
The Viewpoint article from the American Physical Society can be found at the link below. Only around 100 manuscripts from a total of 16000 published are selected for such viewpoint articles. http://physics.aps.org/articles/v5/73
More information:
Research Professor Paul Greenlees, University of Jyväskylä, tel. +358 40 805 4069 (available from 20.8.), paul.greenlees(at)jyu.fi
Professor Matti Leino, University of Jyväskylä, tel. +358 45 3180 808, matti.e.leino(at)jyu.fi
http://www.aka.fi/en-GB/A/Programmes-and-Cooperation/Centres-of-Excellence-/
Academy of Finland Communications
Riitta Tirronen
tel. +358 9 7748 8369, riitta.tirronen(at)aka.fi
Journal
Physical Review Letters