[en] Studies of the superheavy elements form one of the pillars of the GSI research program. A unique combination of experimental facilities is installed at the GSI. Various topics, ranging from the synthesis of new elements, spectroscopy experiments to study the nuclear structures of the heaviest nuclei, highly accurate mass measurements beyond uranium, to chemical investigations of elements around element 114 and the synthesis of novel chemical superheavy element compound classes are being studied. This is complemented by fully relativistic quantum chemical calculations. As a recent highlight, the ²⁴⁴Pu(⁴⁸Ca,3-4n)^288,289 114 reaction was studied, leading to the observation of element 114 at the new gas-filled recoil separator TASCA. (orig.)

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No abstract available

[en] Recently, the chemical investigation of element 112 revealed a highly volatile, noble metallic behaviour, as expected for the last group 12 member of the periodic table. The observed volatility and chemical inertness were ascribed to the growing influence of relativistic effects on the chemical properties of the heaviest elements with increasing nuclear charge. Here, we report for the first time on gas phase chemical experiments aiming at a determination of element 114 properties. This element was investigated using its isotopes ²⁸⁷114 and ²⁸⁸114 produced in the nuclear fusion reactions of ⁴⁸Ca with ²⁴²Pu and ²⁴⁴Pu, respectively. Identification of three atoms of element 114 in thermochromatography experiments and their deposition pattern on a gold surface indicates that this element is at least as volatile as simultaneously investigated elements Hg, At, and element 112. This behaviour is rather unexpected for a typical metal of group 14. (orig.)