Stability against $\alpha$ decay of some recently observed superheavy elements

Abstract

The probability of $\alpha$ particle emission for some recently observed superheavy nuclei (SHN) are investigated. The $\alpha$-decay half lives of SHN are calculated in a quantum tunneling model with density dependent M3Y (DDM3Y) effective nuclear interaction using theoretical and measured $Q_\alpha$ values. We determine the density distribution of $\alpha$ and daughter nuclei from the relativistic mean field theory (RMF) using FSUGold force, NL3 and TM1 parameter sets. The double folded nuclear potential is numerically calculated in a more microscopic manner using these density distributions. The estimated values of $\alpha$-decay half-lives are in good agreement with the recent data. We compare our results with recently detected $\alpha$-decay chains from new element with atomic number Z=117 reported by JINR, Dubna. Finally, we determine the half-lives of superheavy elements with Z=108-120 and neutron number N=152-190 to explore the long-standing predictions on the existence of an "island of stability" due to possible spherical proton (Z$\sim 114$) and neutron (N$\sim 184$) shell closures.