In the heart of Beijing, a team of researchers led by Liu Jiajia from the Key Laboratory of Beam Technology of the Ministry of Education at Beijing Normal University is pushing the boundaries of nuclear physics. Their recent review, published in *Nuclear Power Science and Technology*, delves into the synthesis of transuranic elements, a field that holds significant promise for the energy sector.
The synthesis of new nuclides and the expansion of the chart of nuclides is a frontier area in nuclear physics. With advancements in heavy-ion accelerators and radioactive ion beam facilities, significant strides have been made in synthesizing elements. The heaviest element currently synthesized is Z=118, but exploring regions beyond this faces substantial challenges.
Liu Jiajia and her team emphasize the importance of actinide targets in these processes. “Actinide targets play a crucial role in the synthesis of superheavy elements,” Liu explains. “They are essential for both fusion reactions and multinucleon transfer reactions, which are key methods for creating and potentially large-scale producing superheavy elements in the future.”
The review highlights the use of neutron capture reactions for synthesizing actinide nuclei, including both the slow neutron capture process (s-process) and the rapid neutron capture process (r-process). These reactions have been instrumental in synthesizing elements from atomic number 93 to 100, with fermium (Fm) being the heaviest element that can be synthesized through this method.
The team also summarizes the synthesis status, properties, and applications of various actinide targets, such as 237Np, 244Pu, 243Am, 248Cm, 249Bk, and 249Cf. These targets are vital for the synthesis of superheavy elements and have significant implications for the energy sector.
Looking ahead, the synthesis of elements with atomic numbers greater than 118 presents considerable challenges. “Due to the extremely low cross sections for superheavy elements with Z>118, it is much more difficult to synthesize new elements using the existing actinide targets with 48Ca beam,” notes Zhang Yuhai, a co-author of the study. To overcome these challenges, the team suggests using beams heavier than 48Ca and leveraging large-scale scientific facilities to increase the yields of heavy actinide isotopes.
The High Intensity Heavy-ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) in China, for instance, is capable of providing extremely intense heavy ion beams, which could be instrumental in future syntheses. Additionally, reactors like the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) in France are expected to play crucial roles in providing high atomic number actinide nuclei.
This research not only advances our understanding of nuclear physics but also has potential commercial impacts for the energy sector. The synthesis of superheavy elements could lead to the development of new materials and technologies with unique properties, enhancing the efficiency and safety of nuclear energy production.
As Liu Jiajia and her team continue to explore the frontiers of nuclear physics, their work underscores the importance of international collaboration and the need for advanced facilities to push the boundaries of what is possible. Their findings pave the way for future developments in the field, offering a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.