Way to make element 120 – the heaviest ever – may have been developed

In a groundbreaking experiment, scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in California have successfully synthesized livermorium, the third-heaviest element in the universe. This achievement marks a significant step towards the creation of element 120, the heaviest element yet to be discovered.

The researchers successfully synthesized element 116, livermorium, using a titanium beam, a feat never achieved before.

“This reaction had never been demonstrated before, and it was essential to prove it was possible before embarking on our attempt to make 120,” said Jacklyn Gates, a nuclear scientist at Berkeley Lab leading the effort.

This milestone, presented at the Nuclear Structure 2024 conference, marks a crucial step toward the potential creation of the heaviest atom yet. It has far-reaching implications for our understanding of atomic structure and the fundamental forces of nature.

Quest for making element 120

Element 120, if discovered, would be the 119th element on the periodic table and is theorized to exist within the “island of stability,” a region of superheavy elements with potentially longer lifespans than previously discovered superheavy elements.

This increased stability could provide researchers with a greater window to study these elements and gain a deeper understanding of atomic behavior, nuclear physics, and the limits of atomic nuclei.

“Creation of a new element is an extremely rare feat. It’s exciting to be a part of the process and to have a promising path forward,” added Gates.

The team created two atoms of livermorium over 22 days at Berkeley Lab’s 88-Inch Cyclotron. While the creation of element 120 is predicted to be even rarer, the success rate of producing element 116 indicates that it is a feasible endeavor.

“We needed for nature to be kind, and nature was kind,” said Reiner Kruecken, director of Berkeley Lab’s Nuclear Science Division. “We think it will take about 10 times longer to make 120 than 116. It’s not easy, but it seems feasible now.”

Challenges and innovations

The synthesis of superheavy elements involves smashing two lighter elements together in a particle accelerator. However, the process is fraught with challenges, from the rarity of successful fusions to limitations on the types of elements that can be used.

“When we’re trying to make these incredibly rare elements, we are standing at the absolute edge of human knowledge and understanding, and there is no guarantee that physics will work the way we expect,” expressed Jennifer Pore, a scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Heavy Element Group.

The use of a titanium beam, rather than the traditional calcium-48 beam, was a key innovation in this experiment, proving that superheavy elements can be created using “non-magic” beams.

“It was an important first step to try to make something a little bit easier than a new element to see how going from a calcium beam to a titanium beam changes the rate at which we produce these elements,” said Pore.

Next frontier awaits

Before the team can attempt to create element 120, further preparations are required, including modifications to the 88-Inch Cyclotron to accommodate a target made of californium-249.

“We’ve shown that we have a facility capable of doing this project, and that the physics seems to make it feasible,” Kruecken said. “Once we get our target, shielding, and engineering controls in place, we will be ready to take on this challenging experiment.”

While the timeline is still uncertain, researchers could potentially begin their quest for element 120 as early as 2025.

This groundbreaking research represents not only a significant scientific achievement but also a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance.

The potential discovery of element 120 could revolutionize our understanding of the atomic world and pave the way for future scientific advancements.