Synthesis of Transuranium Nuclides from Interaction of ¹⁶0 with ²³⁸U

Abstract

Many studies of actinides, especially of transuranium elements, have been performed mainly owing to scientists’ endeavors to discover new elements and nuclides. (1) In spite of these efforts, the mechanism of the formation of transuranium nuclides by heavy-ion bombardment and the nuclear and chemical properties of the synthesized actinide nuclides have not been clearly elucidated, and a great deal remains to be examined in more detail. In this context, we have begun the investigation of heavy-ion nuclear reactions(2): A system in which a uranium target is irradiated by oxygen ions (¹⁶0 + ²³⁸U), was chosen. For this reaction seventeen nuclides (²⁵⁰Fm) ^244,245,248Cf, ²⁴²Cm, ^233,239Np) ^237,239U ^{225,226,227,228}Th, ^224,225Ac, and ^223,224Ra) were identified and the condition of formation for these nuclides was clarified. This paper deals with a novel method of mutual rapid separation of the synthesized transuranium elements by ion exchange and a discussion of the mechanism which governs the heavy-ion nuclear reactions.