Breakthrough Expands Understanding of Nuclear Physics
Scientists at the Institute of Modern Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have synthesized two previously unknown atomic nuclei—Berkelium-235 and Americium-231—using advanced particle acceleration technology. Published in Physics Letters B, this achievement marks a significant leap in nuclear research and challenges existing theoretical models.
The Science Behind the Breakthrough
Using the upgraded Chinese Accelerator Facility for Exotic Nuclei (CAFE2) in Lanzhou City, researchers fired Argon-40 ions at a Gold-197 target. The high-speed collisions produced ultra-rare isotopes detectable only through the SHANS2 separator system, which identifies nuclei by analyzing energy signatures and decay patterns. Americium-231 was identified as the decay product of Berkelium-235, which has a half-life of 75 seconds.
Implications for Nuclear Physics
The discovery revealed discrepancies in current mass models, particularly in predicting decay energies for neutron-deficient elements. This finding provides critical data for refining theories about nuclear stability and radioactive decay processes. While these isotopes exist momentarily, their creation advances efforts to explore the “island of stability” for superheavy elements.
This research underscores the Chinese mainland’s growing role in cutting-edge physics, offering new tools for applications in energy, medicine, and materials science.
