Nuclear reactions at JINR: from heavy-ion cyclotrons to the frontiers of superheavy and exotic nuclei

Abstract

The seventieth anniversary of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research provides a unique opportunity to trace the development of heavy-ion physics at the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (FLNR). This review outlines the major stages in the development of the FLNR experimental facilities, from the first U-300 and U-200 cyclotrons to the present-day U-400 and U-400M accelerators and the DC-280 cyclotron complex at the Superheavy Element Factory. Particular attention is paid to how the increase in beam intensities, the expansion of the range of accelerated ions, and advances in separation and detection systems have enabled studies of progressively rarer nuclear processes.

The review presents results on the synthesis and investigation of superheavy nuclei in ``hot-fusion'' reactions induced by $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$, including the production of nuclei with atomic numbers up to $Z=118$. Recent studies of new isotopes at the Superheavy Element Factory and prospects for further advances toward heavier nuclei are also discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the prospects for using $^{50}\mathrm{Ti}$ and $^{54}\mathrm{Cr}$ beams in the synthesis of elements 119 and 120, studies of light exotic nuclei at ACCULINNA and ACCULINNA-2, and investigations of fusion, quasifission, and multinucleon-transfer processes. The development of applied research using heavy-ion beams is also highlighted.