Properties of Z=114 super-heavy nuclei

The center of the stability island of super-heavy nuclei (SHN) is the subject of intense experimental and theoretical investigations and has potential technological applications. (298)(114)Fl lies in the Z=114 isotopic chain as a persuasive candidate of the spherical double-magic nucleus in SHN, and in this study, the calculations of nuclear binding energies, one-nucleon and two-nucleon separation energies, alpha-decay energies, and the corresponding half-lives provide strong evidence for this point. These calculations within an improved Weizsacker-Skyrme nuclear mass model (WS*) were performed and compared with the calculations of the finite-range droplet model (FRDM2012) and experimental data for Z=114 isotopes and N=184 isotones. Concurrently, the corresponding single-particle levels in a Woods-Saxon potential well with a spin-orbit term are calculated, which can be used as a powerful indicator to identify the shell effects existing in (298)(114)Fl. Both the study of the properties of the isotopic chain and microphysical quantities provide a vital signal that (298)(114)Fl is a spherical double-magic nucleus and also the center of the SHN.

Automated summary

This study provides strong evidence for (298)(114)Fl being a spherical double-magic nucleus through calculations of nuclear binding energies and other parameters. Additionally, calculations of single-particle levels and microphysical quantities reveal key properties that establish (298)(114)Fl as the center of the super-heavy nuclei.