Search for the heaviest atomic nuclei among the products from reactions of mixed-Cf with a 48Ca beam

Abstract

The search for new decay chains of oganesson isotopes is presented. The experiment utilized the Dubna Gas Filled Recoil Separator and a highly segmented recoil-decay detection system. The signals from all detectors were analyzed in parallel by digital and analog data acquisition systems. For the first time, a target of mixed californium (51% 249Cf, 13% 250Cf, and 36% 251Cf) recovered from decayed 252Cf sources was produced and irradiated with an intense 48Ca beam. The observation of a new decay chain of 294Og is reported. The prospects for reaching new isotopes 295,296Og are discussed.