Synthesis of new transuranium isotopes in multinucleon transfer reactions using a velocity filter

Recently, we reported the observation of several new isotopes with proton numbers Z ≥ 92 in low-energy collisions of ⁴⁸Ca + ²⁴⁸Cm. The peculiarity is that the nuclei were produced in multinucleon transfer reactions, a method which is presently discussed as a possible new way to enter so far unknown regions in the upper part of the Chart of Nuclides. For separation of the transfer products we used a velocity filter, the Separator for Heavy Ion Reaction Products SHIP at GSI. The resulting strong background suppression allowed us to detect nuclei with cross-sections down to the sub-nanobarn scale. Beside the new isotopes we identified about 100 further target-like transfer products and determined their cross-sections. The results together with previous measurements strongly indicate that multinucleon transfer reactions are a viable pathway to the production of new transuranium isotopes. (orig.)