超重元素合成和鉴别进展

Synthesis and Identification of Superheavy Elements

地球上存在的稳定元素有90种,最重的是铀(U),其原子序数为92。人们通常利用高通量中子轰击铀原子核,使它俘获中子,继而进行β衰变,从而合成质子数大于铀的元素(称为超铀元素)。但是,哈恩(O.Hahn)和施特拉斯曼(F.Strassmann)在1937年发现,原子核很重时会发生裂变,从而限制元素质子数的增加。按照伽莫夫(G.Gamow)1930年提出的液滴模型理论,将核表面能力与核内的库仑斥力平衡,得出元素的最大质子数可达到100～125。

After it is predicted thai ihere exist nuclei with proton number around 114 and neutron number around 184. it has become an important frontier of nuclear physics and chemistry to explore the superheavy elements. This paper reviews the mechanisms for producing superheavy nuclei and the techniques for identifying them. The development of this research field in China is briefly introduced at the end of the uaoer.