Isotopes of moscovium

Moscovium (₁₁₅Mc) is a synthetic element, and thus a standard atomic weight cannot be given. Like all synthetic elements, it has no known stable isotopes. The first isotope to be synthesized was ²⁸⁸Mc in 2004. There are five known radioisotopes from ²⁸⁶Mc to ²⁹⁰Mc. The longest-lived isotope is ²⁹⁰Mc with a half-life of 0.65 seconds.

List of isotopes

The isotopes undergo alpha decay into the corresponding isotope of nihonium, with half-lives increasing as neutron numbers increase.

Nuclide	Z	N	Isotopic mass (Da)^[4] ^{[n 1]}^{[n 2]}	Half-life^[5]	Decay mode^[5]	Daughter isotope
²⁸⁶Mc^[6]	115	171		20+98 −9 ms	α	²⁸²Nh
²⁸⁷Mc	115	172	287.19082(48)#	38+22 −10 ms^[6]	α	²⁸³Nh
²⁸⁸Mc	115	173	288.19288(58)#	193+15 −13 ms^[6]	α	²⁸⁴Nh
²⁸⁹Mc	115	174	289.19397(83)#	250+51 −35 ms^[6]	α	²⁸⁵Nh
²⁹⁰Mc^{[n 3]}	115	175	290.19624(64)#	650+490 −200 ms [0.84(36) s]	α	²⁸⁶Nh
This table header & footer: view

^ ( ) – Uncertainty (1σ) is given in concise form in parentheses after the corresponding last digits.
^ # – Atomic mass marked #: value and uncertainty derived not from purely experimental data, but at least partly from trends from the Mass Surface (TMS).
^ Not directly synthesized, created as decay product of ²⁹⁴Ts

Nucleosynthesis

Chronology of isotope discovery
Isotope	Year discovered	Discovery reaction
²⁸⁶Mc	2021	²⁴³Am(⁴⁸Ca,5n)
²⁸⁷Mc	2003	²⁴³Am(⁴⁸Ca,4n)
²⁸⁸Mc	2003	²⁴³Am(⁴⁸Ca,3n)
²⁸⁹Mc	2009	²⁴⁹Bk(⁴⁸Ca,4n)^[2]
²⁹⁰Mc	2009	²⁴⁹Bk(⁴⁸Ca,3n)^[2]

Target-projectile combinations

The table below contains various combinations of targets and projectiles which could be used to form compound nuclei with Z = 115. Each entry is a combination for which calculations have provided estimates for cross section yields from various neutron evaporation channels. The channel with the highest expected yield is given.

Target	Projectile	CN	Attempt result
²⁰⁸Pb	⁷⁵As	²⁸³Mc	Reaction yet to be attempted
²⁰⁹Bi	⁷⁶Ge	²⁸⁵Mc	Reaction yet to be attempted
²³⁸U	⁵¹V	²⁸⁹Mc	Failure to date
²⁴³Am	⁴⁸Ca	²⁹¹Mc^[7]^[8]	Successful reaction
²⁴¹Am	⁴⁸Ca	²⁸⁹Mc	Planned reaction
²⁴³Am	⁴⁴Ca	²⁸⁷Mc	Reaction yet to be attempted

Hot fusion

Hot fusion reactions are processes that create compound nuclei at high excitation energy (~40–50 MeV, hence "hot"), leading to a reduced probability of survival from fission. The excited nucleus then decays to the ground state via the emission of 3–5 neutrons. Fusion reactions utilizing ⁴⁸Ca nuclei usually produce compound nuclei with intermediate excitation energies (~30–35 MeV) and are sometimes referred to as "warm" fusion reactions. This leads, in part, to relatively high yields from these reactions.

²³⁸U(⁵¹V,xn)^289−xMc

There are strong indications that this reaction was performed in late 2004 as part of a uranium(IV) fluoride target test at the GSI. No reports have been published suggesting that no product atoms were detected, as anticipated by the team.^[9]

²⁴³Am(⁴⁸Ca,xn)^291−xMc (x=2,3,4,5)

This reaction was first performed by the team in Dubna in July–August 2003. In two separate runs they were able to detect 3 atoms of ²⁸⁸Mc and a single atom of ²⁸⁷Mc. The reaction was studied further in June 2004 in an attempt to isolate the descendant ²⁶⁸Db from the ²⁸⁸Mc decay chain. After chemical separation of a +4/+5 fraction, 15 SF decays were measured with a lifetime consistent with ²⁶⁸Db. In order to prove that the decays were from dubnium-268, the team repeated the reaction in August 2005 and separated the +4 and +5 fractions and further separated the +5 fractions into tantalum-like and niobium-like ones. Five SF activities were observed, all occurring in the niobium-like fractions and none in the tantalum-like fractions, proving that the product was indeed isotopes of dubnium.

In a series of experiments between October 2010 – February 2011, scientists at the FLNR studied this reaction at a range of excitation energies. They were able to detect 21 atoms of ²⁸⁸Mc and one atom of ²⁸⁹Mc, from the 2n exit channel. This latter result was used to support the synthesis of tennessine. The 3n excitation function was completed with a maximum at ~8 pb. The data was consistent with that found in the first experiments in 2003.

This reaction was run again at five different energies in 2021 to test the new gas-filled separator at Dubna's SHE-factory. They detected 6 chains of ²⁸⁹Mc, 58 chains of ²⁸⁸Mc, and 2 chains of ²⁸⁷Mc. For the first time the 5n channel was observed with 2 atoms of ²⁸⁶Mc.^[10]

²⁴²Pu(⁵⁰Ti,pxn)^291−xMc (x=2)

This reaction was studied by the team in Dubna in 2024. For the first time, a pxn reaction was successful with actinide targets and ⁴⁸Ca/⁵⁰Ti/⁵⁴Cr projectiles, producing one atom of the known ²⁸⁹Mc in the p2n channel (evaporating one proton and two neutrons).^[11]

Reaction yields

The table below provides cross-sections and excitation energies for hot fusion reactions producing moscovium isotopes directly. Data in bold represent maxima derived from excitation function measurements. + represents an observed exit channel.

Projectile	Target	CN	2n	3n	4n	5n
⁴⁸Ca	²⁴³Am	²⁹¹Mc		3.7 pb, 39.0 MeV	0.9 pb, 44.4 MeV

Theoretical calculations

Decay characteristics

Theoretical calculations using a quantum-tunneling model support the experimental alpha-decay half-lives.^[12]

Evaporation residue cross sections

The table below contains various target-projectile combinations for which calculations have provided estimates for cross section yields from various neutron evaporation channels. The channel with the highest expected yield is given.

MD = multi-dimensional; DNS = Di-nuclear system; σ = cross section

Target	Projectile	CN	Channel (product)	σ_max	Model	Ref
²⁴³Am	⁴⁸Ca	²⁹¹Mc	3n (²⁸⁸Mc)	3 pb	MD	^[7]
²⁴³Am	⁴⁸Ca	²⁹¹Mc	4n (²⁸⁷Mc)	2 pb	MD	^[7]
²⁴³Am	⁴⁸Ca	²⁹¹Mc	3n (²⁸⁸Mc)	1 pb	DNS	^[8]
²⁴²Am	⁴⁸Ca	²⁹⁰Mc	3n (²⁸⁷Mc)	2.5 pb	DNS	^[8]
²⁴¹Am	⁴⁸Ca	²⁸⁹Mc	4n (²⁸⁵Mc)	1.04 pb	DNS	^[13]

References

^ Kovrizhnykh, N. (27 January 2022). "Update on the experiments at the SHE Factory". Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Oganessian, Yuri Ts.; Abdullin, F. Sh.; Bailey, P. D.; et al. (2010-04-09). "Synthesis of a New Element with Atomic Number Z=117". Physical Review Letters. 104 (142502). American Physical Society: 142502. Bibcode:2010PhRvL.104n2502O. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.142502. PMID 20481935.
^ ^a ^b Oganessian, Y.T. (2015). "Super-heavy element research". Reports on Progress in Physics. 78 (3): 036301. Bibcode:2015RPPh...78c6301O. doi:10.1088/0034-4885/78/3/036301. PMID 25746203. S2CID 37779526.
^ Wang, Meng; Huang, W.J.; Kondev, F.G.; Audi, G.; Naimi, S. (2021). "The AME 2020 atomic mass evaluation (II). Tables, graphs and references*". Chinese Physics C. 45 (3): 030003. doi:10.1088/1674-1137/abddaf.
^ ^a ^b ^c Kondev, F. G.; Wang, M.; Huang, W. J.; Naimi, S.; Audi, G. (2021). "The NUBASE2020 evaluation of nuclear properties" (PDF). Chinese Physics C. 45 (3): 030001. doi:10.1088/1674-1137/abddae.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Oganessian, Yu. Ts.; Utyonkov, V. K.; Kovrizhnykh, N. D.; et al. (2022). "New isotope ²⁸⁶Mc produced in the ²⁴³Am+⁴⁸Ca reaction". Physical Review C. 106 (64306): 064306. Bibcode:2022PhRvC.106f4306O. doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.106.064306. S2CID 254435744.
^ ^a ^b ^c Zagrebaev, V. (2004). "Fusion-fission dynamics of super-heavy element formation and decay" (PDF). Nuclear Physics A. 734: 164–167. Bibcode:2004NuPhA.734..164Z. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2004.01.025.
^ ^a ^b ^c Feng, Z; Jin, G; Li, J; Scheid, W (2009). "Production of heavy and superheavy nuclei in massive fusion reactions". Nuclear Physics A. 816 (1–4): 33–51. arXiv:0803.1117. Bibcode:2009NuPhA.816...33F. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2008.11.003. S2CID 18647291.
^ "List of experiments 2000–2006". Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave. Archived from the original on July 23, 2007.
^ "Both neutron properties and new results at SHE Factory".
^ Ibadullayev, Dastan (2024). "Synthesis and study of the decay properties of isotopes of superheavy element Lv in Reactions ²³⁸U + ⁵⁴Cr and ²⁴²Pu + ⁵⁰Ti". jinr.ru. Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
^ C. Samanta; P. Roy Chowdhury; D. N. Basu (2007). "Predictions of alpha decay half lives of heavy and superheavy elements". Nucl. Phys. A. 789 (1–4): 142–154. arXiv:nucl-th/0703086. Bibcode:2007NuPhA.789..142S. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2007.04.001. S2CID 7496348.
^ Zhu, L.; Su, J.; Zhang, F. (2016). "Influence of the neutron numbers of projectile and target on the evaporation residue cross sections in hot fusion reactions". Physical Review C. 93 (6): 064610. Bibcode:2016PhRvC..93f4610Z. doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.93.064610.

Half-life, spin, and isomer data selected from the following sources.
- Audi, Georges; Bersillon, Olivier; Blachot, Jean; Wapstra, Aaldert Hendrik (2003), "The NUBASE evaluation of nuclear and decay properties", Nuclear Physics A, 729: 3–128, Bibcode:2003NuPhA.729....3A, doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2003.11.001
- National Nuclear Data Center. "NuDat 2.x database". Brookhaven National Laboratory.
- Holden, Norman E. (2004). "11. Table of the Isotopes". In Lide, David R. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (85th ed.). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-0485-9.

[5] ( ) – Uncertainty (1σ) is given in concise form in parentheses after the corresponding last digits.

[TMS-6] # – Atomic mass marked #: value and uncertainty derived not from purely experimental data, but at least partly from trends from the Mass Surface (TMS).

[9] Not directly synthesized, created as decay product of ²⁹⁴Ts

[Kovrizhnykh-1] Kovrizhnykh, N. (27 January 2022). "Update on the experiments at the SHE Factory". Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions. Retrieved 28 February 2022.

[E117-2] Oganessian, Yuri Ts.; Abdullin, F. Sh.; Bailey, P. D.; et al. (2010-04-09). "Synthesis of a New Element with Atomic Number Z=117". Physical Review Letters. 104 (142502). American Physical Society: 142502. Bibcode:2010PhRvL.104n2502O. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.142502. PMID 20481935.

[SHEsummary-3] Oganessian, Y.T. (2015). "Super-heavy element research". Reports on Progress in Physics. 78 (3): 036301. Bibcode:2015RPPh...78c6301O. doi:10.1088/0034-4885/78/3/036301. PMID 25746203. S2CID 37779526.

[AME2020_II-4] Wang, Meng; Huang, W.J.; Kondev, F.G.; Audi, G.; Naimi, S. (2021). "The AME 2020 atomic mass evaluation (II). Tables, graphs and references*". Chinese Physics C. 45 (3): 030003. doi:10.1088/1674-1137/abddaf.

[NUBASE2020-7] Kondev, F. G.; Wang, M.; Huang, W. J.; Naimi, S.; Audi, G. (2021). "The NUBASE2020 evaluation of nuclear properties" (PDF). Chinese Physics C. 45 (3): 030001. doi:10.1088/1674-1137/abddae.

[Mc2022-8] Oganessian, Yu. Ts.; Utyonkov, V. K.; Kovrizhnykh, N. D.; et al. (2022). "New isotope ²⁸⁶Mc produced in the ²⁴³Am+⁴⁸Ca reaction". Physical Review C. 106 (64306): 064306. Bibcode:2022PhRvC.106f4306O. doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.106.064306. S2CID 254435744.

[VZ-10] Zagrebaev, V. (2004). "Fusion-fission dynamics of super-heavy element formation and decay" (PDF). Nuclear Physics A. 734: 164–167. Bibcode:2004NuPhA.734..164Z. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2004.01.025.

[FengHotFusion-11] Feng, Z; Jin, G; Li, J; Scheid, W (2009). "Production of heavy and superheavy nuclei in massive fusion reactions". Nuclear Physics A. 816 (1–4): 33–51. arXiv:0803.1117. Bibcode:2009NuPhA.816...33F. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2008.11.003. S2CID 18647291.

[12] "List of experiments 2000–2006". Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave. Archived from the original on July 23, 2007.

[13] "Both neutron properties and new results at SHE Factory".

[jinr2024-14] Ibadullayev, Dastan (2024). "Synthesis and study of the decay properties of isotopes of superheavy element Lv in Reactions ²³⁸U + ⁵⁴Cr and ²⁴²Pu + ⁵⁰Ti". jinr.ru. Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. Retrieved 2 November 2024.

[half-lifes-15] C. Samanta; P. Roy Chowdhury; D. N. Basu (2007). "Predictions of alpha decay half lives of heavy and superheavy elements". Nucl. Phys. A. 789 (1–4): 142–154. arXiv:nucl-th/0703086. Bibcode:2007NuPhA.789..142S. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2007.04.001. S2CID 7496348.

[neutronnumbers-16] Zhu, L.; Su, J.; Zhang, F. (2016). "Influence of the neutron numbers of projectile and target on the evaporation residue cross sections in hot fusion reactions". Physical Review C. 93 (6): 064610. Bibcode:2016PhRvC..93f4610Z. doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.93.064610.

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