Unveiling the Mysteries of Superheavy Elements: A Journey of Discovery*

In the realm of nuclear physics and chemistry, superheavy elements occupy a unique and fascinating niche, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of atomic structure and stability. For millennia, alchemists across the world sought to transmute one element into another, a feat finally achieved less than 100 years ago. Today, there are 118 known elements in the periodic table, with 28 created in laboratories by combining other elements. This expansion is ongoing: in the past two decades, six new superheavy elements have been added. These elements can only be formed one atom at a time in complete-fusion evaporation reactions and typically exist for mere seconds before decaying. However, they lie on the shores of the "Island of Stability," a theoretical region where superheavy elements might exhibit much longer lifespans due to enhanced stabilization from a doubly-magic closed-nuclear shell. In this talk, I will explore the intriguing nature of superheavy elements, the methods used to produce them in laboratories worldwide, and the research conducted by our group at Berkeley. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of superheavy elements, highlighting their potential applications in science and technology and their profound implications for understanding the fundamental forces that govern matter.