Chinese scientists create 2 never-before-seen atomic nuclei

Scientists in China have created two new atomic nuclei never seen before: Berkelium-235 and Americium-231, expanding our understanding of matter.

Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Modern Physics used a particle accelerator in Lanzhou to collide Argon-40 ions with a Gold-197 target. The resulting fusion created the new nuclei, which were detected with the SHANS2 separator. Americium-231 forms as Berkelium-235 decays, with a half-life of about 75 seconds.

The team also found that existing nuclear mass models overestimate decay energies for these neutron-deficient elements, highlighting the need for theoretical adjustments. Though short-lived, these discoveries provide new insights into the limits of matter.

Credit : CGTN