Shell stabilization and the survival of heavy compound nuclei Original Research Article

Knowledge of the influence of nuclear shell structure on the survival probability of heavy compound nuclei against fission is important for a quantitative understanding of the production rates of spherical super-heavy elements (SHE). Fission probabilities of N = 126 isotones beyond astatine can be used as test cases for the production of spherical super-heavy elements, as those isotones possess a strong shell correction energy and are highly fissile. Here, we report on two new experimental approaches which probe the effect of the closed neutron shell at N = 126 on the competition between fission and particle evaporation using projectile fragmentation and electromagnetic-induced fission of radioactive beams. We conclude that these nuclei lose at least a great part of their stability against fission at low excitation energies and angular momenta - mostly due to the influence of collective contributions in the level density. Implications on the production of spherical SHE will be discussed.