Atom-at-a-Time Radioactive Molecule Identification: Looking toward Studies of Superheavy Elements

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Chemistry
• Atomic Physics
• Chemical Physics

Background:

• Superheavy elements (SHEs) exhibit poorly understood chemical behaviors that challenge the periodic table's predictive capabilities.
• Experimental investigation of SHEs requires rapid chemical studies on an atom-at-a-time basis due to low production rates and short half-lives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an innovative gas-phase chemistry technique for the production and identification of molecular species formed by SHEs.
• To demonstrate the capability of studying radioactive molecule production under controlled conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a novel gas-phase chemistry method employing the Berkeley Gas-filled Separator and FIONA.
• Synthesized superheavy elements via nuclear reactions.
• Identified molecular species by their mass-to-charge ratio.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced and identified radioactive molecules, specifically 151,152HoO+.
• Demonstrated the capability to study the production of radioactive molecules under controlled, atom-at-a-time conditions.
• Validated the effectiveness of the new technique for low-statistics superheavy element studies.

Conclusions:

• The developed gas-phase chemistry method is effective for studying superheavy elements.
• This technique provides a pathway for the next generation of experimental SHE chemistry research.
• The findings offer potential to re-evaluate the placement of superheavy elements on the periodic table.