Structure of ^294,302120 Nuclei Using the Relativistic Mean-Field Method

We have studied the structure of superheavy nuclei ^294,302120 in the framework of a relativistic mean-field formalism, using three different parameter sets (NL1, NL–SH and TM1) in an axially deformed harmonic oscillator basis. The calculated shapes are found to be parameter-dependent, e.g. NL1 parameter set predicts ³⁰²120 as a spherical and ²⁹⁴120 a very weakly oblate deformed nucleus whereas NL–SH and TM1 parameter sets predict both the nuclei with strongly prolate/oblate deformed configurations, in their respective ground states. This result, coupled with the calculated single-particle energy spectrum for NL1 parameter set, supports for Z=120 nuclei the spherical magic shell more at N=184 than at N=172. Even for the spherical ³⁰²120 nucleus, many new closed shells are predicted and some of the known magic numbers are found absent. Also, the binding energies of the various isotopes of Z=104–111 nuclei are calculated whose comparisons with experimental data favor the NL1 parameter set.