Gas phase chemistry of superheavy elements

Long-lived isotopes of superheavy elements (SHE) beyond Rf, i.e., with atomic number Z ≥ 104 can be produced via fusion reactions between heavy actinide targets and neutron-rich projectiles at a rate of only single atoms per minute (Z=104) or per week (Z=114). Investigating these neutron-rich SHE nuclei using rapid gas-chemical separation and subsequent on-line detection provides an independent chemical characterization and an alternative separation technique to electromagnetic recoil separators. The highly efficient separation of Hs in the form of HsO₄ is an impressive example for such studies of the nuclear reaction mechanism and nuclear structure. Approaching the heaviest elements, the coupling of chemistry setups to a recoil separator promises extremely high sensitivity due to strong suppression of background from unwanted species. The use of a combination of two separation techniques, physical pre-separation and gas phase chemistry opens the possibility for investigating new compound classes of superheavy elements