Chemical Identification of a Long-Lived Isotope of Dubnium, a Descendant of Element 115

The recognition criterion for discovery of a new chemical element includes two aspects, the characterization properties and the assignment properties. In this paper, we will discuss the status of element 115 experiments that have been performed in Dubna, Russia, highlighting the characterization and assignment properties as they specifically relate to a recent experiment. After discussing the status of what is known about the decay properties of element 115 [1], observed previously using the Dubna Gas-Filled Recoil Separator, we will discuss the prior chemical studies that have been performed on the Db descendant of element 115 [2]. Following the success of that experiment, some additional chemical information was desired. Two separation chemistries were then developed at LLNL and JINR. LLNL utilized reversed phase chromatography and JINR utilized anion exchange chromatography to perform not only +4/+5 separations, but also intra-group separations, where Nb-like and Ta-like fractions were eluted. The results from an experiment using these chemistries for the first time during December 2005 in Dubna, Russia, will be compared with prior chemical results. We will conclude with a discussion of possible enhancements to the work already performed and the current status of the future experimental plans

Fusion reaction 48Ca+249Bk leading to formation of the element Ts (Z=117)

The heaviest currently known nuclei, which have up to 118 protons, have been produced in 48Ca induced reactions with actinide targets. Among them, the element tennessine (Ts), which has 117 protons, has been synthesized by fusing 48Ca with the radioactive target 249Bk, which has a half-life of 327 d. The experiment was performed at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA. Two long and two short α decay chains were observed. The long chains were attributed to the decay of 294Ts. The possible origin of the short-decay chains is discussed in comparison with the known experimental data. They are found to fit with the decay chain patterns attributed to 293Ts. The present experimental results confirm the previous findings at the Dubna Gas-Filled Recoil Separator on the decay chains originating from the nuclei assigned to Ts

RADIOCHEMICAL SEPARATION OF GROUP 5 ELEMENTS. MODEL EXPERIMENTS FOR INVESTIGATION OF DUBNIUM CHEMICAL BEHAVIOUR

Chemical behaviour of group 5 elements in the aqueous hydrofluoric acid solutions was studied. The radiochemical method for the cation exchange separation of Nb (Pa) and Ta from Zr, Hf and lanthanides is presented. The opportunity for ion exchange separation of Zr and Hf is shown. The developed scheme allows excluding of the presence of SF heavy actinides in fractions of separated elements. On the basis of the data of the present work, it is possible to suggest the following order of the stability of the fluoride complexes of group 4 and 5 elements: Nb (Ра) > Zr > Hf > Ta. The order of the complex formation is in agreement with theoretical predictions. This analytical procedure can be used in future heavy nuclei synthesis experiments for the separation of dubnium (Db) from other reactions products and for its chemical identification