A previously unknown atomic nucleus, 190-Astatine, composed of 85 protons and 105 neutrons, was successfully produced through an experiment carried out in the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. The lightest isotope of astatine ever discovered is the nucleus.
Astatine is a rare element due to its rapid depletion. It has been estimated that there is no more than one tablespoon of astatine in the crust of the Earth. The new isotope, 190-Astatine, was created when silver target atoms and 84Sr beam particles fused. A RITU recoil separator’s detectors were used to find the isotope among the products.
Alpha decay occurs when the new nucleus decays into isotopes that are more stable. Alpha rot is a typical rot method for weighty cores.
“In my thesis, I examined experimental data from which the new isotope was discovered. During my thesis research and summer internships, I became acquainted with the work of the Nuclear Spectroscopy group. Now I am very excited to work in the group for my Ph.D.”
Doctoral Researcher Henna Kokkonen from the Department of Physics, University of Jyväskylä.
According to Doctoral Researcher Henna Kokkonen of the Department of Physics at the University of Jyväskylä, “understanding the structure of atomic nuclei and the limits of known matter are important for understanding the studies of new nuclei.”
Kokkonen, who recently earned a Master of Science degree, made the new discovery. Her master’s thesis included the research, which has been published in the journal Physical Review C. “I analyzed experimental data in my thesis, among which the new isotope was found.” I learned about the work done by the Nuclear Spectroscopy Group through my thesis process and summer internships. Kokkonen declares, “Now I am very happy to work in the group toward my Ph.D.”
More information: H. Kokkonen et al, Properties of the new α -decaying isotope At190, Physical Review C (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevC.107.064312
