PAC NP-62: Experiments at SHE factory
On January 22-23, 2026 the 62nd session of the Program Advisory Committee for Nuclear Physics was held at the JINR International Conference Hall.
Dmitry Soloviev, head of the gas-filled separator group reported on the status of experiments at the SHE Factory complex. Synthesis of Element 119 of Mendeleev Periodic Table will be the main purpose of the experiments for the coming years. According to the scientist, these studies will help test theoretical predictions about the existence of an “island of stability” in the region of superheavy nuclei.
During preparatory experiments to select optimal “projectile-target” combination scientists not only synthesized three new isotopes (288Lv, 289Lv and 280Cn) but also confirmed the potential of 43Am + 54Cr and 249Bk + 50Ti reactions. Dmitry Soloviev also noted that to work with the required amount of target material the SHE Factory halls are being modernized to obtain permission to carry out class I work in accordance with the sanitary norms for radiation safety (OSPORB-99/2010).
The second part of the report was about the development of GASSOL gas-filled separator designed to study the chemical properties of superheavy elements. Delivery of the key element of the setup -a superconducting magnet- is expected in February 2026.
Experiments at SHE factory and status of GASSOL setup (.pdf)
Nikolai Aksenov, head of FLNR Sector N3 spoke about prospects for studying chemical properties of superheavy elements at the SHE Factory. In his report he presented the latest results of the experiments studying flerovium obtained in 242Pu(48Ca,3n) reaction: scientists studied the interaction of its individual atoms with a gold surface. Analysis of eight registered decay chains of 283Cn and 287Fl isotopes revealed the presence of two zones of flerovium deposition – at room temperature and at approximately –100°C. Adsorption of Fl atoms on a gold surface in the cryogenic region confirms the significant influence of relativistic effects on its chemical behavior. The first experiments could be conducted after 2028.
Experiments at SHE factory and status of GASSOL setup (.pptx)
From 2026 to 2028 FLNR scientists will take part in experiments at the Institute of Modern Physics CAS (IMP CAS) accelerators.