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Düllmann CE, Block M, Heßberger FP, Khuyagbaatar J, Kindler B, Kratz JV, Lommel B, Münzenberg G, Pershina V, Renisch D, Schädel M, Yakushev A. Five decades of GSI superheavy element discoveries and chemical investigation. RADIOCHIM ACTA 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/ract-2022-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Superheavy element research has been a strong pillar of the research program at GSI Darmstadt since its foundation. Six new elements were discovered along with many new isotopes. Initial results on chemical properties of the heaviest elements were obtained that allowed for comparing their behavior with that of their lighter homologs and with theoretical predictions. Main achievements of the past five decades of superheavy element research at GSI are described along with an outlook into the future of superheavy element research in Darmstadt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph E. Düllmann
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH , Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt , Germany
- Department Chemie – Standort TRIGA , Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz , Fritz-Strassmann-Weg 2, 55128 Mainz , Germany
- Helmholtz-Institut Mainz , Staudingerweg 18, 55128 Mainz , Germany
| | - Michael Block
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH , Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt , Germany
- Department Chemie – Standort TRIGA , Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz , Fritz-Strassmann-Weg 2, 55128 Mainz , Germany
- Helmholtz-Institut Mainz , Staudingerweg 18, 55128 Mainz , Germany
| | - Fritz P. Heßberger
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH , Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Jadambaa Khuyagbaatar
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH , Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Birgit Kindler
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH , Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Jens V. Kratz
- Department Chemie – Standort TRIGA , Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz , Fritz-Strassmann-Weg 2, 55128 Mainz , Germany
| | - Bettina Lommel
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH , Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Gottfried Münzenberg
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH , Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt , Germany
- Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz , Staudingerweg 7, 55128 Mainz , Germany
| | - Valeria Pershina
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH , Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Dennis Renisch
- Department Chemie – Standort TRIGA , Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz , Fritz-Strassmann-Weg 2, 55128 Mainz , Germany
- Helmholtz-Institut Mainz , Staudingerweg 18, 55128 Mainz , Germany
| | - Matthias Schädel
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH , Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Alexander Yakushev
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH , Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt , Germany
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Abstract
Mendeleev's introduction of the periodic table of elements is one of the most important milestones in the history of chemistry, as it brought order into the known chemical and physical behaviour of the elements. The periodic table can be seen as parallel to the Standard Model in particle physics, in which the elementary particles known today can be ordered according to their intrinsic properties. The underlying fundamental theory to describe the interactions between particles comes from quantum theory or, more specifically, from quantum field theory and its inherent symmetries. In the periodic table, the elements are placed into a certain period and group based on electronic configurations that originate from the Pauli and Aufbau principles for the electrons surrounding a positively charged nucleus. This order enables us to approximately predict the chemical and physical properties of elements. Apparent anomalies can arise from relativistic effects, partial-screening phenomena (of type lanthanide contraction) and the compact size of the first shell of every l-value. Further, ambiguities in electron configurations and the breakdown of assigning a dominant configuration, owing to configuration mixing and dense spectra for the heaviest elements in the periodic table. For the short-lived transactinides, the nuclear stability becomes an important factor in chemical studies. Nuclear stability, decay rates, spectra and reaction cross sections are also important for predicting the astrophysical origin of the elements, including the production of the heavy elements beyond iron in supernova explosions or neutron-star mergers. In this Perspective, we critically analyse the periodic table of elements and the current status of theoretical predictions and origins for the heaviest elements, which combine both quantum chemistry and physics.
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