Glowing atomic nucleus floating in cosmic space

Unlocking the Secrets of Superheavy Elements: What Does the Future Hold?

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Jordan Keane in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the latest research on Oganesson isotopes and their stability properties may reveal insights into nuclear physics and the boundaries of the periodic table."


The quest to discover new elements has always been a driving force in nuclear physics. For decades, scientists have been captivated by the possibility of elements beyond the well-known periodic table, especially in the region known as the "island of stability" centered around element 208Pb. This pursuit has sparked countless theoretical and experimental investigations into superheavy nuclei, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of matter itself.

While the lighter elements were primarily discovered through chemical means, creating heavier elements, those beyond uranium, requires nuclear reactions in specialized laboratories. These reactions, which involve bombarding targets with reactor neutrons or energetic ion beams, are sophisticated and produce only a few atoms at a time. Identifying these fleeting entities hinges on recognizing their unique decay patterns, making the process extremely challenging.

From a structural perspective, the heaviest nuclei are essential for testing and refining nuclear shell models. These models posit that the existence of superheavy elements is not due to classical physics, but solely from their internal shell structure. Without this stabilizing structure, these elements would theoretically undergo immediate fission. Many calculations have predicted the existence of these shell-stabilized superheavy nuclei, driving ongoing research in the field.

Predicting the Stability of the Unpredictable: Oganesson Isotopes

Glowing atomic nucleus floating in cosmic space

Recent research has focused on theoretically predicting the stability properties of the still largely unknown 276-308Og isotopes. By employing the Skyrme-SLy4 nucleon-nucleon interaction and the deformed Woods-Saxon single-particle potential within a semi-microscopic approach, scientists are calculating crucial properties. These properties include ground-state masses, binding energy, deformations, and fission barriers.

The methodology involves producing energy surfaces in a multidimensional deformation space and using the dynamical differential evolution optimization method. This complex process enables the determination of Q-values for various decay modes and nucleon separation energies for each isotope. Furthermore, the alpha-decay (Ta) and spontaneous fission half-lives are also analyzed, offering a comprehensive picture of nuclear stability.

  • The study reveals that 290-296Og isotopes are the most bound, with 302,304,306Og predicted to be spherical nuclei. Isotopes 299,300,301,303,305Og are predicted to be almost spherical.
  • Calculations successfully reproduce the available data for the only known Oganesson isotope, 294Og.
  • Researchers explored electron capture/ß+ decays and spontaneous fission as competing decay modes challenging the stability of superheavy nuclei.
  • An overall oscillating increasing behavior of Ta with mass number is observed, reversing the decreasing behavior of Qa and correlating with changes in neutron-skin thickness after alpha-decays.
  • Isotopes 291,294-296,299-302Og are expected to have relatively long half-lives (Ta ≈ 1-45 ms), with 295Og potentially having the longest half-life.
These findings provide crucial insights into the potential existence and decay pathways of various Oganesson isotopes. Predicting the most stable isotopes and their decay characteristics is vital for guiding future experimental efforts aimed at synthesizing these elusive elements. Understanding the interplay between alpha-decay, spontaneous fission, and other decay modes is crucial for mapping the boundaries of the chart of nuclides and probing the fundamental forces that govern nuclear stability.

The Road Ahead: Synthesizing the Heaviest Elements

The study of superheavy elements is a complex interplay of theoretical prediction and experimental verification. As research progresses, scientists refine models and develop new experimental techniques, inching ever closer to synthesizing and characterizing new elements. The synthesis of new superheavy elements not only extends the periodic table but provides a critical testing ground for our understanding of nuclear physics and the forces that shape the universe.

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Everything You Need To Know

1

Why are superheavy elements, like Oganesson isotopes, so crucial for testing our understanding of nuclear physics?

Superheavy elements, particularly around the 'island of stability' near element 208Pb, challenge existing nuclear shell models because their existence defies classical physics. The stability of these elements hinges on their internal shell structure, which prevents immediate fission. The study of Oganesson isotopes helps refine these models, testing the boundaries of nuclear theory and offering a deeper understanding of fundamental forces. Discovering how these models hold up helps us understand if our theoretical models hold up.

2

What are the main challenges in synthesizing and identifying superheavy elements such as Oganesson, and how do scientists overcome them?

The process of creating superheavy elements involves nuclear reactions where targets are bombarded with reactor neutrons or energetic ion beams. Identifying these newly synthesized elements is challenging because only a few atoms are produced at a time, and their existence is fleeting. Scientists rely on recognizing unique decay patterns, such as alpha-decay or spontaneous fission, to confirm the creation and properties of these elements. The ability to observe and measure their respective behaviors provides clues as to the properties of the new elements.

3

What theoretical methods are used to predict the stability of Oganesson isotopes, and what properties are calculated?

Recent studies focus on predicting the stability of 276-308Og isotopes using the Skyrme-SLy4 nucleon-nucleon interaction and the deformed Woods-Saxon single-particle potential within a semi-microscopic approach. The properties calculated include ground-state masses, binding energy, deformations, and fission barriers. Analyzing alpha-decay and spontaneous fission half-lives offers insights into the nuclear stability of these isotopes. The complex process helps predict the most stable isotopes and their decay characteristics, which is crucial for guiding future experimental efforts.

4

According to recent research, which Oganesson isotopes are predicted to be the most stable, and what are their expected half-lives and shapes?

Research suggests that 290-296Og isotopes are the most bound, with 302,304,306Og predicted to be spherical nuclei. Isotopes 299,300,301,303,305Og are predicted to be almost spherical. Isotopes 291,294-296,299-302Og are expected to have relatively long half-lives (Ta ≈ 1-45 ms), with 295Og potentially having the longest half-life. These findings are crucial for predicting potential decay pathways and guiding experimental efforts in synthesizing these isotopes.

5

How does the interplay between theoretical predictions and experimental synthesis drive progress in the study of Oganesson isotopes and other superheavy elements?

The synthesis and study of Oganesson isotopes involve an ongoing cycle of theoretical predictions and experimental verification. As new data is gathered, models are refined to better reflect reality. These refinements then guide new experimental techniques aimed at synthesizing and characterizing new isotopes. The process not only expands the periodic table but also provides a crucial testing ground for understanding nuclear physics and the fundamental forces that shape the universe. By understanding the properties we can develop new methods to discover more.

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