Berkeley Lab Scientists Achieve Milestone in Creating Superheavy Element
Using a beam of vaporized titanium, scientists have created element 120, one of the heaviest known to humankind.
Element 120, which has not yet been named, is the result of a feat of modern-day alchemy performed at the 88-Inch Cyclotron at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).
An international team of researchers led by LBNL's Heavy Element Group announced the breakthrough today.
To create element 120, the researchers collided titanium-50 with a target made of the isotope californium.
The resulting superheavy atomic nucleus contains 120 protons and 177 neutrons, making it one of the most massive elements ever created.
The discovery of element 120 is a significant milestone in the field of nuclear physics and could lead to a better understanding of the structure of the atom.
Berkeley Lab's 88-Inch Cyclotron
The 88-Inch Cyclotron is a particle accelerator that was built in 1954.
It is one of the most powerful cyclotrons in the world and has been used to make a number of important discoveries in nuclear physics.
In 1955, the 88-Inch Cyclotron was used to create the first atoms of element 101, mendelevium.
Significance of the Discovery
The discovery of element 120 is a significant milestone for several reasons.
- It is the heaviest element that has ever been created in a laboratory.
- It provides new insights into the structure of the atom.
- It could lead to the development of new nuclear technologies.
Element 120 is a fascinating addition to the periodic table and it is sure to be the subject of much research in the years to come.
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