Estimation of production cross sections of superheavy elements

The available production cross sections of the Z≥102 nuclei are compared to the results of a statistical model using the parameters taken from the N∼126 region. The hot fusion data are reproduced using a summary fission barrier reduced by 15-20%. For the cold fusion reactions the parameters of the fusion channel are found, nevertheless the cross sections are not reproduced for the nuclei above Z=104 where the fusion probabilities are determined. A simple statistical approach, based on the neutron multiplicity data from the spontaneous fission as a unique information on the scission configuration, is proposed and the fusion probabilities of a cold fusion reactions are reproduced using one set of parameters. With these parameters, the estimate of the production cross sections in reactions for the synthesis of superheavy nuclei is calculated. The steep decrease of estimated cross sections is predicted for the cold fusion reactions. In the case of the 48 Ca-induced reactions the overall decrease of production cross sections is less significant (Authors)