The third-heaviest element in the universe, livermorium, has been synthesized in a groundbreaking experiment that paves the way for the creation of element 120, which would become the heaviest element on the periodic table.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory achieved this milestone by colliding a highly controlled beam of titanium atoms with a plutonium target. The use of titanium in such experiments is unprecedented due to the challenges in creating a reliable beam and the immense number of collisions required to produce new atoms.
The team utilized rare isotopes of titanium, which were vaporized in a specialized oven at temperatures reaching 1650°C. This titanium vapor was then transformed into a charged beam using microwaves, allowing it to be directed into a particle accelerator. When the beam collided with the plutonium, it generated the necessary conditions to detect two atoms of livermorium.
The decay of these atoms into other elements was anticipated, as heavier elements often exhibit reduced stability. However, the precision of their measurements resulted in a negligible chance of error in their findings, reinforcing the reliability of the experiment presented at the Nuclear Structure 2024 conference.
Experts suggest that this endeavor forms a critical foundation for the pursuit of element 120, also known as unbinilium. Understanding this element could unlock new insights into the strong nuclear force, which governs the stability of heavy elements and may shed light on the formation of exotic elements in the early universe.
The heaviest known human-made element, oganesson (element 118), has two more protons than livermorium and was first synthesized in 2002. Progress toward creating heavier elements has been historically difficult, given their inherent instability.
Encouraged by these latest results, the research team plans to commence experiments aimed at synthesizing element 120 in 2025, with plans to substitute the plutonium target for the heavier element californium.
“We believe we are significantly closer to understanding the necessary steps for this achievement,” a researcher stated. “The prospect of adding a new element to the periodic table is incredibly exciting.”
Topics:
- chemistry /
- nuclear physics
