X-Ray Fluorescence from the Element with Atomic Number Z=120

M. O. Frégeau, D. Jacquet, M. Morjean, E. Bonnet, A. Chbihi, J. D. Frankland, M. F. Rivet, L. Tassan-Got, F. Dechery, A. Drouart, L. Nalpas, X. Ledoux, M. Parlog, C. Ciortea, D. Dumitriu, D. Fluerasu, M. Gugiu, F. Gramegna, V. L. Kravchuk, T. Marchi, D. Fabris, A. Corsi, and S. Barlini
Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 122701 – Published 19 March 2012

Abstract

An atomic clock based on x-ray fluorescence yields has been used to estimate the mean characteristic time for fusion followed by fission in reactions U238+Ni64 at 6.6MeV/A. Inner shell vacancies are created during the collisions in the electronic structure of the possibly formed Z=120 compound nuclei. The filling of these vacancies accompanied by a x-ray emission with energies characteristic of Z=120 can take place only if the atomic transitions occur before nuclear fission. Therefore, the x-ray yield characteristic of the united atom with 120 protons is strongly related to the fission time and to the vacancy lifetimes. K x rays from the element with Z=120 have been unambiguously identified from a coupled analysis of the involved nuclear reaction mechanisms and of the measured photon spectra. A minimum mean fission time τf=2.5×1018s has been deduced for Z=120 from the measured x-ray multiplicity.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 14 November 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.122701

© 2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. O. Frégeau1, D. Jacquet2, M. Morjean1,*, E. Bonnet1, A. Chbihi1, J. D. Frankland1, M. F. Rivet2, L. Tassan-Got2, F. Dechery3, A. Drouart3, L. Nalpas3, X. Ledoux4, M. Parlog5,6, C. Ciortea6, D. Dumitriu6, D. Fluerasu6, M. Gugiu6, F. Gramegna7, V. L. Kravchuk7, T. Marchi7,8, D. Fabris8, A. Corsi9, and S. Barlini10

  • 1GANIL, CEA-DSM and IN2P3-CNRS, B.P. 55027, F-14076 Caen Cedex, France
  • 2IPNO, CNRS/IN2P3, Université Paris-Sud 11, F-91406 Orsay Cedex, France
  • 3CEA-Saclay, IRFU/Service de Physique Nucléaire, F-91191 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France
  • 4CEA, DAM, DIF, F-91297 Arpajon, France
  • 5LPC, CNRS/IN2P3, ENSICAEN, Université de Caen, F-14050 Caen Cedex, France
  • 6National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, RO-077125 Bucharest-Magurele, Romania
  • 7Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, I-35020 Legnaro (Padova), Italy
  • 8Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Padova, I-35131 Padova, Italy
  • 9Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, and Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Universita di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy
  • 10Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, and Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Universita di Firenze, I-50125 Firenze, Italy

  • *morjean@ganil.fr

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 108, Iss. 12 — 23 March 2012

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×