Heavy-ion fusion

Heavy-ion fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two atomic nuclei combine after an energetic collision. It can produce new isotopes, including superheavy elements.

Coulomb barrier: The electrostatic energy barrier that positively charged nuclei must overcome to approach closely enough for nuclear reactions. Energetic collisions must bring the nuclei through this repulsion before the strong nuclear force can bind them.
Superheavy element: A chemical element with an atomic number of 104 or greater. Fusion reactions with heavy targets and projectiles have produced several superheavy elements.
Heavy ion: An atom or atomic nucleus with a mass substantially greater than that of a proton. Heavy-ion fusion uses massive projectiles or targets rather than light nuclei alone.
Cold fusion (superheavy-element synthesis): A superheavy-element production method using relatively low-excitation fusion reactions, often with lead or bismuth targets. This synthesis regime favors different projectile–target combinations than hot fusion.
Nuclear reaction: A process that changes an atomic nucleus through interactions with another nucleus or particle. Fusion is one possible outcome of a collision between nuclei.
Island of stability: A predicted region of superheavy nuclei whose relatively long lifetimes arise from closed proton and neutron shells. Fusion experiments seek nuclei near this region to test predictions of enhanced stability.
Nuclear shell model: A model describing protons and neutrons as occupying quantized energy levels within the nucleus. Shell structure affects the stability and reaction behavior of fusion products.
Hot fusion (superheavy-element synthesis): A superheavy-element production method using neutron-rich actinide targets and reactions that form highly excited nuclei. It has been used to synthesize elements beyond those reached by cold-fusion methods.
Compound nucleus: A temporarily formed, excited nucleus created when two nuclei combine before it decays or emits particles. Some fusion reactions proceed by forming this excited intermediate.
Nuclear fusion: A nuclear reaction in which two atomic nuclei join to form a heavier nucleus. Heavy-ion fusion is a form of this broader reaction class.

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