Scientists at Michigan State University have made a groundbreaking discovery involving heavy elements. By decomposing platinum nuclei, the team discovered five new isotopes of rare earth elements, including thulium and ytterbium. These findings can further contribute to scientists’ understanding of neutron-rich nuclei and the collision of neutron stars to form new elements.
The experiment, which took place at the Rare Isotope Beam Facility (FRIB), involved smashing the nuclei of platinum-120 isotopes to create the new isotopes. Analysis revealed the existence of strontium-182, strontium-183, ytterbium-186, ytterbium-187, and gallium-190, all of which contain a significant number of neutrons. Standard isotopes of these elements typically contain fewer neutrons, highlighting the significance of the new discoveries.
Understanding different isotopes and their behavior is crucial in comprehending the creation of elements in the universe and estimating their abundance in space and time. These newly discovered isotopes, which may have appeared on the Earth’s surface for the first time, are key to unraveling the manufacturing process of heavy elements.
The team’s findings have been published inPhysical Review Letters, marking a significant step forward in the field of nuclear physics. This landmark experiment has the potential to reshape our understanding of the universe’s creation mechanisms and the abundance of rare earth elements.
