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Background: The neutron-deficient lead region provides a range of nuclear phenomena, including isomerism at low energies. This phenomenon can be studied by α decay because the degree of hindrance of α decay provides information on the change in nuclear structure of connected states. Purpose: The aim of this work was to investigate the α-decay properties of $^{200,202}$FR and daughter products. Method: Neutron-deficient francium nuclei are produced at ISOLDE-CERN bombarding a UCx target with 1.4 GeV protons. Surface ionization and mass-separation techniques were employed to provide a pure radioactive ion beam at a radiation-detection setup. Results: Due to the very high statistics and the high beam purity, improved decay data for $^{202}$FR and its daughters were obtained. In particular, this data set allowed us to identify many fine-structure α lines with a relative reduced α-decay width up to five orders of magnitude lower as the strongest ground-to-ground state or isomeric-to-isomeric state α-decay transition. In addition, several half-life values were extracted with similar or better precision as compared with the literature. Conclusions: The observation of crossover transitions positioned the isomeric high-spin level of $^{198}$At at an excitation energy of 265(3) keV. Half-life values of 4.47(5) s and 1.28(10) s were extracted for the ground state and isomeric state of $^{198}$At and 52(3) ms for the ground-state decay of $^{200}$FR. Furthermore, α-decay schemes for Fr202 and its daughter $^{198}$At could be constructed.

Hyperfine-structure parameters and isotope shifts for the 795-nm atomic transitions in $^{217,218,219}$At have been measured at CERN-ISOLDE, using the in-source resonance-ionization spectroscopy technique. Magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments, and changes in the nuclear mean-square charge radii, have been deduced. A large inverse odd-even staggering in radii, which may be associated with the presence of octupole collectivity, has been observed. Namely, the radius of the odd-odd isotope $^{218}$At has been found to be larger than the average of its even-$N$ neighbors, $^{217,219}$At. The discrepancy between the additivity-rule prediction and experimental data for the magnetic moment of $^{218}$At also supports the possible presence of octupole collectivity in the considered nuclei.

We report on the successful coupling of the Penning-trap mass spectrometry setup TRIGA-TRAP to the research reactor TRIGA Mainz. This offers the possibility to perform direct high-precision mass measurements of short-lived nuclei produced in neutron-induced fission of a 235 U target located near the reactor core. An aerosol-based gas-jet system is used for efficient transport of short-lived neutron-rich nuclei from the target chamber to a surface ion source. In conjunction with new ion optics and extended beam monitoring capabilities, the experimental setup has been fully commissioned. The design of the surface ion source, efficiency studies and first results are presented.

A new technique for continuous dissolution of nuclear reaction products transported by a gas-jet system was developed for superheavy element (SHE) chemistry. In this technique, a hydrophobic membrane is utilized to separate an aqueous phase from the gas phase. With this technique, the dissolution efficiencies of short-lived radionuclides of 91m,93mMo and 176W were measured. Yields of more than 80 % were observed for short-lived radionuclides at aqueous-phase flow rates of 0.1–0.4 mL/s. The gas flow-rate had no influence on the dissolution efficiency within the studied flow range of 1.0–2.0 L/min. These results show that this technique is applicable for on-line chemical studies of SHEs in the liquid phase.

The extraction and reduction behavior of Mo and W, lighter homologs of Sg, was studied in continuous on-line experiments at the JAEA tandem accelerator to develop a new chemistry assembly consisting of a membrane degasser (MDG), a flow electrolytic column (FEC), and the continuous liquid–liquid extraction apparatus (SISAK). Extraction yields of Mo and W from 0.1 M HCl/0.9 M LiCl into 4-isopropyltropolone (hinokitiol, HT) in toluene were investigated. In the reduction experiment, Mo(VI) was successfully reduced to a lower oxidation state while W(VI) showed no reduction under the given conditions.

Production cross-sections of the isotope 256Lr in the 249,250,251Cf +11B, 243Am +18O, and 248Cm +14N reactions were measured using a He/KCl gas-jet transport system and a rotating wheel α-particle detection apparatus. The α-particle energy of 256Lr was distributed from 8.3 to 8.7 MeV and its half-life, T 1/2, was measured to be 28 ± 1 s. The maximum cross sections in the 249Cf(11B, 4n)256Lr and 243Am(18O, 5n)256Lr reactions were determined to be 122 ± 36 nb at the beam energy of 63 MeV and 26 ± 7 nb at 96 MeV, respectively. In the 248Cm(14N, 6n)256Lr reaction, the cross section was measured to be 27 ± 10 nb at 91 MeV.

Chemical studies of the heaviest elements in liquid phases at Japan atomic energy agency (JAEA) are reviewed. From the systematic investigation of ion-exchange chromatographic behavior of element 104, rutherfordium (Rf), based on an atom-at-a-time scale, it has been found that the properties of Rf are quite similar to those of the group-4 homologs, Zr and Hf, in the formation of chloride, nitrate, and sulfate complexes, although there are some differences in complexation strength between Rf and the lighter homologues. On the contrary, fluoride complex formation of Rf is significantly different from that of the homologues. Anionic fluoride complexation of element 105, dubnium (Db), has also been studied. The result clearly demonstrates that the fluoride complex formation of Db is considerably different from that of the group-5 homologue Ta, while the behavior of Db is similar to that of the lighter homologue Nb. A new electrochemical approach to the heaviest elements has been successfully conducted by a flow electrolytic column chromatographic method; the oxidation state of element 102, nobelium (No), with single atoms can be controlled with the developed apparatus. Prospects for the future studies on chemical properties of the heaviest elements at JAEA will be briefly considered.

A nuclear-decay spectroscopy study of the neutron-deficient isotope $^{196}\mathrm{At}$ is reported where an isotopically pure beam was produced using the selective Resonance Ionization Laser Ion Source and On-Line Isotope Mass Separator (CERN). The fine-structure $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay of $^{196}\mathrm{At}$ allowed the low-energy excited states in the daughter nucleus $^{192}\mathrm{Bi}$ to be investigated. A $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed fission study of $^{196}\mathrm{At}$ was also performed. A mixture of symmetric and asymmetric fission-fragment mass distributions of the daughter isotope $^{196}\mathrm{Po}$ (populated by $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of $^{196}\mathrm{At}$) was deduced based on the measured fission-fragment energies. A $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{DF}$ probability ${P}_{\ensuremath{\beta}\mathrm{DF}}(^{196}\mathrm{At})=9(1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ was determined.

Chemical studies of superheavy elements require fast and efficient techniques, due to short half-lives and low production rates of the investigated nuclides. Here, we advocate for using a tubular flow reactor for assessing the thermal stability of the Sg carbonyl complex – Sg(CO)6. The experimental setup was tested with Mo and W carbonyl complexes, as their properties are established and supported by theoretical predictions. The suggested approach proved to be effective in discriminating between the thermal stabilities of Mo(CO)6 and W(CO)6. Therefore, an experimental verification of the predicted Sg–CO bond dissociation energy seems to be feasible by applying this technique. By investigating the effect of 104,105Mo beta-decay on the formation of 104,105Tc carbonyl complex, we estimated the lower reaction time limit for the metal carbonyl synthesis in the gas phase to be more than 100 ms. We examined further the influence of the wall material of the recoil chamber, the carrier gas composition, the gas flow rate, and the pressure on the production yield of 104Mo(CO)6, so that the future stability tests with Sg(CO)6 can be optimized accordingly.

Experimental verification and characterization of the two-mode fission are reviewed. The presence of two independent deformation-paths in low energy fission of actinides is demonstrated by studying correlation among saddle-point configurations, scission-point configurations, and mass-yield distributions; the elongated scission configuration is related with the fission process that goes over a higher threshold energy and results in a symmetric mass-division mode, while the compact scission configuration with the process that experiences a lower threshold ends up with an asymmetric mass-division mode. Based on an extensive systematic analysis of scission properties in a wide range of actinide fission, the bimodal fission observed in the spontaneous fission of the heavy actinides is interpreted as the result of the presence of two fission paths, namely, the ordinary asymmetric fission path and a strongly shell-influenced symmetric mode.

Adsorption of carrier-free radiotracers 181W and 93mMo produced in the 181Ta(p, n) and natNb(p, n) reactions, respectively, on anion-exchange resin was studied in mixed solution of HF and HNO3 in a concentration range of 10−4–10−1 M HF/0.1 M HNO3. Distribution coefficients (Kd) of 181W and 93mMo at 70 °C showed the V-shaped variation with the minimum at around 10−1 M HF/0.1 M HNO3, although variation of the Kd values for 93mMo was quite small compared with that for 181W. Formation of oxofluoro complexes for W and Mo is briefly discussed.

We carried out solvent extraction on the trivalent actinides of Am, Cm, Cf, and Fm and the lanthanides (except Pm) using di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) in benzene by a batch method. The extraction constants of the HDEHP complexes for these elements were determined systematically under identical conditions. The tetrad effect was clearly observed in the variation of the extraction constants of the lanthanide series. We found that the extraction constant for Fm(III) is much smaller than that for Dy(III), which have similar ionic radii. The extraction constants for Am(III), Cm(III), and Cf(III) are similar to those for corresponding Ln(III) having similar ionic radii. Two possibilities that account for the lower extraction constant of Fm(III) is suggested.

The cation-exchange behavior of261Rf (T1/2= 78 s) produced in the248Cm(18O, 5n) reaction was studied on a “one-atom-at-a-time” scale in 0.15–0.69 M H2SO4/HNO3mixed solutions ([H+]=1.0 M) using an automated ion-exchange separation apparatus coupled with the detection system for alpha-spectroscopy (AIDA). It was found that adsorption probabilities ( decrease with an increase of [HSO4−], showing a successive formation of Rf sulfate complexes. Rf exhibits a weaker complex formation tendency compared to the lighter homologues Zr and Hf. This is in good agreement with theoretical predictions including relativistic effects.

A carbonyl compound that tips the scales Life is short for the heaviest elements. They emerge from high-energy nuclear collisions with scant time for detection before they break up into lighter atoms. Even et al. report that even a few seconds is long enough for carbon to bond to the 106th element, seaborgium (see the Perspective by Loveland). The authors used a custom apparatus to direct the freshly made atoms out of the hot collision environment and through a stream of carbon monoxide and helium. They compared the detected products with theoretical modeling results and conclude that hexacarbonyl Sg(CO) 6 was the most likely structural formula. Science , this issue p. 1491 ; see also p. 1451

It is of great interest to study chemical properties of the transactinide elements with atomic numbers (Z) ≥ 104. One of the most important subjects is to establish the position of the elements at the extreme end of the periodic table. To this end we perform studies of chemical properties of these transactinides and compare them with those of their lighter homologues and with the ones expected from extrapolations in the periodic table. So far, chromatographic studies of the transactinides have provided experimental proof of placing rutherfordium (Rf, Z = 104) through hassium (Hs, Z = 108) into groups 4 to 8, respectively. 1-10 Quite recently, copernicium (Cn, Z = 112) has been shown to be a member of group 12. 11 To gain a better understanding, it is even more interesting to study chemical properties of the transactinide elements in greater detail and to compare those with the ones of their lighter homologues. Theoretical calculations predict that the ground state electronic structure of the heaviest elements varies due to strong relativistic effects. Accordingly, chemical properties of these elements may deviate from those expected from linear extrapolations based on lighter homologues. 12-14 Systematically, detailed chemical investigations are, therefore, required to characterize properties of the transactinide elements influenced by relativistic effects.

Anion-exchange behavior of the group-5 elements, Nb and Ta, and their pseudo homologue Pa in HF and HF/HNO3 solutions was investigated by a batch method to find suitable conditions for the anion-exchange experiment of element 105 (Dubnium, Db). We determined the distribution coefficients of those elements on the anion-exchange resin as a function of the F− and NO 3 − concentrations. Clearly different anion-exchange behavior was observed among these elements. Based on the results, we discuss the fluoro-complex formation of each element and suggest experimental conditions for the study of fluoride complexation of Db.

Summary We developed a new apparatus for the study of electrochemical properties of the heaviest elements. The apparatus is based on a flow electrolytic cell combined with column chromatography. Glassy-carbon fibers modified with Nafion perfluorinated cation-exchange resin are used as a working electrode as well as a cation-exchanger. The elution behavior of 139Ce with the number of 1010 atoms in 0.1 M ammonium α-hydroxyisobutyric acid solution from the column electrode was investigated at the applied potentials of 0.2–1.0 V versus the Ag/AgCl reference electrode in 1.0 M LiCl. It was found that 139Ce3+ is successfully oxidized to 139Ce4+ even with tracer concentration at around the redox potential determined by cyclic voltammetry for the macro amounts of Ce with 1017 atoms (10−3 M). The present oxidation reaction and separation of Ce4+ was accomplished within a few minutes.

Q β values of the neutron-rich isotopes of 160-165Eu and 163Gd were measured for the first time using a total absorption bismuth germanate (BGO) detector, and previously obtained data on 158, 159Pm , 159, 161Sm and 166Tb were re-analyzed. These radioactive sources were prepared by an on-line mass separator (Tokai-ISOL) following the 238U (p,f reaction. The deduced Q β values are the following: 6085(80)keV for 158Pm , 3805(65)keV for 159Sm , 5460(140)keV for 159Pm , 4705(60)keV for 160Eu , 5065(130)keV for 161Sm , 3705(60)keV for 161Eu , 5575(60)keV for 162Eu , 4690(70)keV for 163Eu , 3170(70)keV for 163Gd , 6430(70)keV for 164Eu , 5800(120)keV for 165Eu , and 4695(70)keV for 166Tb . Moreover, the deduced mass excesses and two-neutron separation energies ( S 2n values) were compared with those of the atomic mass evaluations and theoretical predictions.

The most probable charges of secondary fragments, produced after neutron evaporation from primary fragments, have been evaluated using fractional cumulative and mass yields in the 12MeV proton-induced fission of 232Th . The nuclear-charge polarization of primary fragments at scission has been obtained by correcting the most probable charge of secondary fragments for neutron evaporation. The fragment mass dependence of the nuclear-charge polarization at scission shows good agreement with that for thermal neutron-induced fission of 235U , indicating that the nuclear-charge polarization is nearly insensitive to mass and excitation energy of the fissioning nucleus for asymmetric fission in the actinide region.

Scission shapes composed of two touching spheroids in asymmetric and symmetric fission modes have been deduced from static potential calculations with the experimental fragment total kinetic energy and excitation energies for a typical fragment pair of 103Nb and 130Sn in the proton-induced fission of 232Th. It was found that the fragment deformation of the heavy fragment 130Sn in the symmetric fission mode was extremely large compared with that in the asymmetric fission and those of the complementary fragment 103Nb. Such scission shapes also provide internal excitation energies of pair fragments in the two fission modes. The deduced total internal excitation energies of complementary fragments for the two fission modes are nearly the same as the excitation energy of the fissioning nucleus. The results suggest that the two fission modes are strongly characterized by the degrees of fragment deformation of the heavy fragments, not by the total internal excitation energies at scission.

The extraction behavior of rutherfordium (Rf) into tributylphosphate (TBP) from hydrochloric acid (HCl) has been studied together with those of the lighter group-4 elements Zr and Hf. The extractability of261Rf,169Hf, and85Zr into TBP was investigated under identical conditions in 7.2–8.0 M HCl by on-line reversed-phase extraction chromatography. The percent extractions of Rf, Hf, and Zr into the TBP resin increase steeply with increasing HCl concentration, and the order of extraction is Zr > Hf ≈ Rf. By considering the order of chloride complexation among these elements, it is suggested that the stability of the TBP complex of Rf tetrachloride is lower than those of Zr and Hf.

Effects of the prolate deformation of 238 U on fusion were studied in the reaction 30 Si + 238 U at bombarding energies close to the Coulomb barrier. The fission (capture) cross sections were measured at the JAEA tandem accelerator to see the enhancement of the cross sections in the subbarrier energy due to the lower Coulomb barrier in the collisions of projectile at the polar sides of 238 U. In order to obtain the direct evidence for complete fusion, evaporation residue cross sections were measured at UNILAC of GSI. At the subbarrier energy of Ec.m. = 133.0 MeV, where only polar collisions to 238 U occur, we measured three spontaneously fissioning nuclei which we assigned to the isotope 264 Sg. The obtained cross section (10 +10 – 6 ) pb was smaller than the calculation that the system captured at the polar collisions results in complete fusion, suggesting the competition between fusion and quasifission. At the above barrier energy of Ec.m. = 144.0 MeV, where collisions on the equatorial side of 238 U start to contribute, we observed α-decay chains starting from 263 Sg and the cross section was determined to be (67 +67 ) pb. The data was reproduced by the calculation that the system captured from the equatorial side of 238 U results in complete fusion.

Lawrencium, with atomic number 103, has an isotope with a half-life of 27 seconds; even so, its first ionization potential has now been measured on an atom-at-a-time scale and agrees well with state-of-the-art theoretical calculations that include relativistic effects. The most dramatic modern revision of Mendeleev's periodic table of elements came in 1944 when Glenn T. Seaborg placed a new series of elements, the actinides (atomic numbers 89–103), below the lanthanides. In this issue of Nature, Yuichiro Nagame and colleagues report the first measurement of one of the basic atomic properties of element 103 (lawrencium), namely its first ionization potential. Lawrencium is only accessible via atom-at-a-time synthesis in heavy-ion accelerators, so experimental investigations of its properties are rare. Nagame and colleagues were able to reduce the number of atoms required to measure the ionization potential from billions to thousands, and these results — in agreement with the latest theoretical calculations — show that the last valence electron in lawrencium is the most weakly bound one in all actinides and any other element beyond group 1 of the periodic table. This signature — in a region of the periodic table where the sheer size of the atoms means that relativistic effects play a crucial role — confirms the end of the actinide series at element 103. The chemical properties of an element are primarily governed by the configuration of electrons in the valence shell. Relativistic effects influence the electronic structure of heavy elements in the sixth row of the periodic table, and these effects increase dramatically in the seventh row—including the actinides—even affecting ground-state configurations1,2. Atomic s and p1/2 orbitals are stabilized by relativistic effects, whereas p3/2, d and f orbitals are destabilized, so that ground-state configurations of heavy elements may differ from those of lighter elements in the same group. The first ionization potential (IP1) is a measure of the energy required to remove one valence electron from a neutral atom, and is an atomic property that reflects the outermost electronic configuration. Precise and accurate experimental determination of IP1 gives information on the binding energy of valence electrons, and also, therefore, on the degree of relativistic stabilization. However, such measurements are hampered by the difficulty in obtaining the heaviest elements on scales of more than one atom at a time3,4,5. Here we report that the experimentally obtained IP1 of the heaviest actinide, lawrencium (Lr, atomic number 103), is electronvolts. The IP1 of Lr was measured with 256Lr (half-life 27 seconds) using an efficient surface ion-source and a radioisotope detection system coupled to a mass separator. The measured IP1 is in excellent agreement with the value of 4.963(15) electronvolts predicted here by state-of-the-art relativistic calculations. The present work provides a reliable benchmark for theoretical calculations and also opens the way for IP1 measurements of superheavy elements (that is, transactinides) on an atom-at-a-time scale.

The reaction 30Si + 238U → 268Sg* was studied at beam energies close to the Coulomb barrier. At a center-of-mass energy of E c.m. = 144.0MeV for reactions at half thickness of the target we measured three decay chains of 263Sg produced by evaporation of five neutrons. The cross-section was ( 67+67 -37) pb. At E c.m. = 133.0MeV we measured three spontaneously fissioning nuclei which we assigned to the isotope 264Sg. The production cross-section was ( 10+10 -6) pb and a half-life of ( 120+126 -44) ms was determined. This half-life is a factor of twenty shorter than theoretical predictions. At E c.m. = 128.0MeV an upper cross-section limit of 15pb was measured. The cross-section data reveal a strong influence of the orientation of the deformed target nucleus on the production yield. Compared to excitation functions measured for the lighter system 16O + 238U → 254Fm*, a reduction of the fusion probability was observed at low beam energies indicating increasing competition from quasifission processes.

Experimental investigations of transactinoide elements provide benchmark results for chemical theory and probe the predictive power of trends in the periodic table. So far, in gas-phase chemical reactions, simple inorganic compounds with the transactinoide in its highest oxidation state have been synthesized. Single-atom production rates, short half-lives, and harsh experimental conditions limited the number of experimentally accessible compounds. We applied a gas-phase carbonylation technique previously tested on short-lived molybdenum (Mo) and tungsten (W) isotopes to the preparation of a carbonyl complex of seaborgium, the 106th element. The volatile seaborgium complex showed the same volatility and reactivity with a silicon dioxide surface as those of the hexacarbonyl complexes of the lighter homologs Mo and W. Comparison of the product's adsorption enthalpy with theoretical predictions and data for the lighter congeners supported a Sg(CO)6 formulation.

Low-energy β-delayed fission of 194,196At and 200,202Fr was studied in detail at the mass separator ISOLDE at CERN. The fission-fragment mass distributions of daughter nuclei 194,196Po and 202Rn indicate a triple-humped structure, marking the transition between asymmetric fission of 178,180Hg and symmetric fission in the light Ra-Rn nuclei. Comparison with the macroscopic-microscopic finite-range liquid-drop model and the self-consistent approach employing the Gogny D1S energy density functional yields discrepancies. This demonstrates once more the need for dynamical fission calculations, because for both models the potential-energy surfaces lack pronounced structures, in contrast to those for the actinide region. ispartof: Physical Review C, Nuclear Physics vol:90 issue:4 pages:1-6 status: published

Characteristics of nuclear deformation properties at scission of two fission modes, symmetric and asymmetric, are reviewed. Existence of two kinds of scission configurations associated with the symmetric and asymmetric fission modes is pointed out: elongated and compact configurations. Each symmetric and asymmetric scission property is discussed in terms of shape elongation evaluated from fragment total kinetic energy (TKE). Fragment deformation at scission is also discussed based on neutron multiplicity data. From the systematic study of the scission properties in a wide range of actinide fission, the bimodal fission observed in spontaneous fission (SF) of the heavy actinides is interpreted as the result of the presence of the two fission paths of the ordinary asymmetric mode and a strongly shell-influenced symmetric one. The correlation between the fragment shell structures and the asymmetric mass-yield curves is described.

The transactinide nuclides261Rf and262Db have been successfully produced in the248Cm(18O,5n) reaction at 99 MeV and in the248Cm(19F,5n) reaction at 100, 103, and 106 MeV, respectively, at the JAERI tandem accelerator. The on-line ion exchange experiments with an automated fast and repetitive liquid chromatography separation system were performed in the HNO3/HF system using Rf homologues89mZr and167,165Hf produced in the89Y(p,n) and152Gd(18O,xn) reactions, respectively. The radiotracers88Zr,175Hf, and234Th were also prepared and the distribution coefficients on ion exchange resins were measured systematically in 1-11 M HCl and 1-14 M HNO3with the batch method. It was found that anion exchange experiments of Rf in 8 M HNO3and 9 M HCl provided information useful to extract the ionic radius of Rf and to verify the influence of relativistic effects.

Data on fragment mass yields in spontaneous and thermal neutron induced fission of wide range of nuclides from light actinides through heavy actinides were analyzed and completely described as mass distribution parameters, based on the concept of multimodal fission. The evidence that supports the existence of multi-components in the mass distribution of fission fragments, bimodal asymmetric mode in light actinide fission, bimodal symmetric mode in heavy actinide fission, and the existence of the boundaries of fission asymmetry has been obtained.

The fluoride complexation of the group-4 elements Zr, Hf and Rf, and of the pseudo-homolog Th, has been investigated in mixed HNO3/HF solutions by studying Kd values on both cation exchange resins (CIX) and anion exchange resins (AIX) using the automated rapid chemistry apparatus ARCA. On the CIX, the four elements are strongly retained as cations below 10-3M HF. For Zr and Hf, the decrease of the Kd values due to the formation of fluoride complexes occurs between 10-3M HF and 10-2M HF. For Rf and Th, this decrease is observed at one order of magnitude higher HF concentrations. On the AIX, for Zr and Hf, a rise of the Kd values due to the formation of anionic fluoride complexes is observed between 10-3M HF and 10-2M HF, i.e. in the same range of HF concentrations where the decrease of the Kd values on the CIX is observed, yielding a consistent picture. For Rf and Th, on the AIX, no rise of the Kd values is observed even if the HF concentration is increased up to 1 M. By varying the concentration of the counter ion NO3-which is competing for the binding sites on the AIX resin, it could be shown, nevertheless, that Rf does form anionic fluoride complexes. Apparently, there is a more specific competition of NO3-with respect to [RfFx](x-4)-than with [ZrFy](y-4)-and [HfFz](z-4)-.

The properties of a metallofullerene that encapsulates 225Ac were studied by radio-chromatographic methods. The results of chromatography on a Buckyclutcher column suggest that there are some metallofullerene isomers of AcC82. The identical HPLC retention time of the major AcC82 peak with that of La@C82 indicates that the structure of one of the AcC82 isomers is the same as La@C82.

$\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay half-lives of new neutron-rich isotopes ${}^{167}\mathrm{Tb}$ and ${}^{168}\mathrm{Tb}$ produced in the 20 MeV proton-induced fission of ${}^{238}\mathrm{U}$ have been determined to be 19.4(27) s and 8.2(13) s, respectively, using a gas-jet coupled on-line isotope separator. The present half-lives and those of the recently identified nuclei ${}^{159}\mathrm{Pm},$ ${}^{161}\mathrm{Sm},$ ${}^{165}\mathrm{Gd},$ ${}^{166}\mathrm{Tb}$ were compared with theoretical predictions. The recent calculation by the gross theory with the new one-particle strength functions shows quite good agreement with the experimental half-lives. Excited states of the daughter nuclides ${}^{167}\mathrm{Dy}$ and ${}^{168}\mathrm{Dy}$ have been established for the first time. Level energies of the first ${2}^{+}$ states in even-even Dy isotopes were found to show an irregular behavior at ${}^{164}\mathrm{Dy}$ and increasing deformation toward the neutron midshell around $N\ensuremath{\approx}104$.

The shape elongation $\ensuremath{\beta}$ of a fissioning nucleus (of mass ${A}_{f}$) undergoing mass-symmetric and mass-asymmetric deformation is experimentally determined. The results indicate that, either for the mass-symmetric or for the mass-asymmetric deformation, the value of shape elongation is nearly independent of ${A}_{f}$ and temperature. Three types of shape elongations are observed: The liquid drop property governed mass-symmetric deformation with $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\sim}1.65$; the mass-asymmetric deformation with $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\sim}1.53$; and the shell influenced mass-symmetric deformation with $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\sim}1.43$.

Studies on the decay of unstable nuclei using the two on-line isotope separators of JAERI are reviewed for the past five years. With the previously established ion-source technique using mono-oxide ion formation in a thermal ion source, the new nuclides125Pr and127Pr have been identified in heavy-ion fusion residues. Further, with a newly developed gas-jet coupled thermal ion source, the new nuclides166Tb,165Gd,161Sm and236Am have been identified by bombarding238U and235U targets with a proton or6Li beam. Other studies, including off-line experiments, by decay spectroscopy, laser spectroscopy and Mossbauer spectroscopy are described.

The ground-state configuration of the $N=157$ nucleus ${}^{259}$No has been identified through $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-singles measurements. Three $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ transitions were observed for the first time in the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay of ${}^{259}$No, and its decay scheme was established. The neutron 9/2${}^{+}$[615] configuration was assigned to the ground state of ${}^{259}$No as well as to the 231.4 keV level in ${}^{255}$Fm. Ground-state deformations and neutron single-particle energies in $Z=102$ isotopes were calculated with the macroscopic-microscopic model. The 9/2${}^{+}$[615] orbital was calculated to be the highest among the five orbitals between the $N=152$ and 162 deformed shell gaps, which is consistent with the experimental one-quasiparticle energies in $N=153$ and 155 isotones, but is inconsistent with the present experimental result of the 9/2${}^{+}$[615] ground state at $N=157$. To reproduce the 9/2${}^{+}$[615] ground state at $N=157$, the order of the neutron orbitals should be different between the $N=153$ and 157 isotones.

The competition between fusion-fission and deeply inelastic reactions in the Cl + Ni system has been studied by investigating the exit channelQ-value dependence of theZ-distributions of fission-like fragments. TheZ-, kinetic energy- and angular distributions of the fission-like fragments produced in the37Cl +64Ni system atElab=170, 186 MeV and in the28Si +74Ge system atElab=176 MeV have been measured by counter telescopes. TheZ-distribution of the37Cl +64Ni system was found to be essentially the same as that of the35Cl +62Ni system at the same bombarding energy. It is shown that this result can not be explained by the statistical fusion fission model but is consistent with a deeply inelastic model. A systematic study of the fission-like phenomenon in this mass region indicates that the maximum angular momenta for fusion reactions as well as the minimum angular momenta for DIC can be reproduced by the Bass model in the sliding limit (f=1.0) while the maximum angular momenta for fully energy-damped deeply inelastic reactions are governed by the strong interaction radius as predicted by the successive critical distance fusion model. The significance of these results are discussed.

A recoil mass separator has been constructed at the JAERI tandem-booster facility. It has a symmetric configuration of Q1Q2-ED1-MD-ED2-Q3Q4-O, where two electric dipoles ED1 and ED2, and the magnetic dipole MD are used to disperse reaction products by their mass/charge ratio ( m q ) and focus their energies. Two quadrupole doublets (Q1Q2 and Q3Q4) are used for focusing reaction products spread spatially. The octupole magnet O is used to correct a non-linearity of the m q dispersion. The m q and energy acceptances are designed to be ±4% and ±12%, respectively. In order to reduce a background originating from beams scattered from the ED1 anode, the anode is split into two parts, so that the primary beam can pass through without hitting the anode. The performance of the recoil mass separator has been tested by using the 127I and 28Si beams from the JAERI tandem accelerator. The capability of the background suppression at the beam direction is excellent and the obtained mass resolution A ΔA ≅ 300 .

Excitation functions and isomeric yield ratios for the 95Mo (p,n) 95m,g Tc reactions up to Ep = 28 MeV are analyzed with a statistical model. In the vicinity of the threshold energy Ep ⩽ 12 MeV, the experimental isomeric yield ratios are well reproduced by the calculation, while the calculation overestimates the experimental value beyond that energy. This suggests that the contribution of a pre-equilibrium process occurs above Ep ∼ 12 MeV. The relationship between the isomeric yield ratio and compound nucleus spin distribution is discussed.

Fragment mass distributions for fission after full momentum transfer were measured in the reactions of 30 Si,34,36 S,31 P,40 Ar + 238 U at bombarding energies around the Coulomb barrier. Mass distributions change significantly as a function of incident beam energy. The asymmetric fission probability increases at sub-barrier energy. The phenomenon is interpreted as an enhanced quasifission probability owing to orientation effects on fusion and/or quasifission. The evaporation residue (ER) cross sections were measured in the reactions of 30 Si + 238 U and 34 S + 238 U to obtain information on fusion. In the latter reaction, significant suppression of fusion was implied. This suggests that fission events different from compound nucleus are included in the masssymmetric fragments. The results are supported by a model calculation based on a dynamical calculation using Langevin equation, in which the mass distribution for fusion-fission and quasifission fragments are separately determined.

Excited states in $^{251}\mathrm{Fm}$ populated via the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay of $^{255}\mathrm{No}$ are studied in detail through $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ fine-structure measurements. Five excited states reported previously in $^{251}\mathrm{Fm}$ are firmly established through the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence measurement, and rotational bands built on one-quasiparticle states are newly established through the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ fine-structure measurement. Spin-parities and neutron configurations of the excited states in $^{251}\mathrm{Fm}$ as well as the ground state of $^{255}\mathrm{No}$ are definitely identified on the basis of deduced internal conversion coefficients, lifetimes of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ transitions, rotational-band energies built on one-quasiparticle states, and hindrance factors of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ transitions. It is found that the excitation energy of the 1/2${}^{+}$[620] state in $N=151$ isotones increases with the atomic number, especially at $Z\ensuremath{\geqslant}100$, while that of the 1/2${}^{+}$[631] state decreases at $Z=100$. Ground-state deformations and energies of neutron one-quasiparticle states in the $N=151$ isotones are calculated using a macroscopic-microscopic model, and the energy systematics of the one-quasiparticle states in the isotones are discussed in terms of the evolution of nuclear deformation involving the hexadecapole (${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{4}$) and hexacontatetrapole (${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{6}$) deformations.