Effects of triaxial deformation on the fission barrier in the Z = 118 − 120 nuclei*

Abstract

Abstract By using potential energy surface (PES) calculations in the three-dimensional space (β 2, γ, β 4) within the framework of the macroscopic-microscopic model, the fission trajectory and fission barrier for Z = 118(Og), 119, 120 nuclei has been systematically investigated. The calculated PES includes macroscopic liquid-drop energy, microscopic shell correction and pairing correction. Taking the 294Og176 nucleus as an example, we discuss the next closed shell after Z = 82 and N = 126 with the calculated Woods–Saxon single-particle levels. Then, the results of PES in 294Og is illustrated from the (X, Y) scale to the (β 2, γ) scale. The γ degree of freedom reveals the shape evolution clearly during the fission process. The structure near the minimum and saddle point of the PES in the Z = 118, 119, 120 nuclei is demonstrated simultaneously. Based on the potential energy curves, general trends of the evolution of the fission barrier heights and widths are also studied. The triaxial deformation in these superheavy mass regions plays a vital role in the first fission barrier, showing a significant reduction in both triaxial paths. In addition, the model-dependent fission barriers of proton-rich nuclei 295Og, 296119, and 297120 are analyzed briefly. Our studies could be valuable for synthesizing the superheavy new elements in the forthcoming HIAF and other facilities.