Study of superheavy elements at the GSI SHIP

NUCL 102

Sigurd Hofmann, S.Hofmann@gsi.de, Nuclear Physics II, GSI Darmstadt, Planckstrasse 1, D-64291 Darmstadt, Germany
The nuclear shell model predicts that the next doubly magic shell-closure beyond 208Pb is at a proton number Z = 114, 120, or 126 and at a neutron number N = 184. The outstanding aim of experimental investigations is the exploration of this region of spherical SuperHeavy Elements (SHEs). Experimental methods are described, which allowed for the identification of elements produced on a cross-section level of about 1 pb. Reactions used at SHIP are based on targets of lead, bismuth and since recently also uranium. Decay data assigned to the isotope 283112, which was produced in the reaction 48Ca + 238U at the Flerov Laboratory in Dubna, were confirmed. Plans will be presented for the further development of the experimental set-up and the continuation of experiments using uranium targets.