On superheavy elements, what did we achieve

The properties of the heaviest isotopes are discussed using recent results on α-energies, halflives, and branchings between the different decay modes. From the data on α- and spontaneous fission halflives and absolute masses, fission barriers and barrier widths are deduced. Shell corrections of the heaviest nuclei are obtained and compared to recent calculations. The concept of superheavy elements is examined, and it is shown that the heaviest isotopes known must be classified 'superheavy'. The production cross sections are summarized and within the extra-push model the reduced fusion probabilities in the entrance channel are discussed. It is shown that besides nuclear structure effects in the collision partners are of importance. It is concluded that targets around 208Pb give a double gain, on the one hand from the fact that fusion is relatively cold (1n- and 2n-channels), and on the other hand that the extra-push limitation is setting in later than the model predicts. The possibilities to make still heavier elements are restricted not by their groundstate instability but by the principal limitations of their production. (orig.)