Synthesis and properties of the heaviest elements Original Research Article

Extrapolations of the nuclear shell model into regions far above the heaviest known nuclei (Z=103 at that time) lead to the prediction of the next doubly magic shell-closure beyond 208Pb at Z=114 and N=184 about thirty-five years ago. Experimentally so far isotopes up to 277112 could be identified unambiguously, while interesting indications for the synthesis of isotopes of elements Z=114 and Z=116 were obtained. Measured (decay) data of heaviest nuclei are compared with theoretical predictions. As examples for getting deeper insight into nuclear structure by detailed α- and α-,γ- spectroscopic investigations results for 270110, 255Rf, and 253No are presented. Some aspects concerning reaction mechanisms, also with respect to the use of radioactive beams, are discussed.