The production of nuclides near the spherical, closed N=126 shell in the 45Sc + 159Tb, 162Dy reactions has been studied at Texas A&M University using the MARS spectrometer.  Previously measured 4n cross sections for the 48Ca, 50Ti + 159Tb and 48Ca + 162Dy reactions have exhibited enhancements to the fission level density of the weakly deformed compound nuclei that are reproduced well by the inclusion of collective excitations.  The current research intends to systematically study the change in the evaporation residue cross sections when the odd-Z projectiles 45Sc and 51V react with the same targets.  The maximum 4n exit channel cross sections of the 45Sc + 159Tb, 162Dy reactions are 2 �b and 4 �b, respectively.  These data are several orders of magnitude smaller than both theoretical predictions and the experimental data for the 48Ca and 50Ti reactions.  Additionally, various pxn exit channel cross sections in the 45Sc induced reactions are more than an order of magnitude larger than the 4n channel.  These observations can be explained by the relative neutron deficiency of 45Sc compared to 48Ca and 50Ti as well as collective excitations and entrance channel effects.  The model of evaporation residue cross sections and the latest results on excitation functions for odd-Z projectiles reacting with lanthanide targets will be discussed.  This work also may have relevance to the production of the next superheavy elements using beams with Z > 20.

Effects of odd-Z projectiles on fusion-evaporation cross sections

246th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.