MY JOURNEY TO THE SUPERHEAVY ISLAND WITH SZYMANSKI, NILSSON, NIX, AND SWIATECKI FROM LYSEKIL TO THE PRESENT

Abstract

We discuss the great theoretical insights on nuclear stability that emerged in the late 1960ies, especially the realization that observable nuclei might include a superheavy island 20+ protons beyond uranium with 92 protons. However, we now realize that the early models were not sufficiently quantitative to yield definite conclusions. Further groundwork for such models was laid in the 1970ies. Around 1980 more quantitative, global and universal models appeared and together with experimental advances the mapping of the superheavy island, or as it turns out now, continent started in earnest. We review these early developments and conclude with some examples of our current insights. In particular, 1) some theoretical models do have predictive capabilities for nuclear properties such as ground-state masses, shapes, and half-lives 10 or more neutrons and protons away from previously known regions and 2) the superheavy island may be a continent connected to the actinides by a narrow land bridge; the continent itself may extend from about proton number Z = 110 to Z = 120 or slightly beyond.