SUPERHEAVY NUCLEI IN THE RELATIVISTIC MEAN-FIELD THEORY

We have carried out a study of superheavy nuclei in the framework of t he relativistic mean-field theory. Relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (RH B) calculations have been performed for nuclei with large proton and n eutron numbers, A finite-range pairing force of Gogny type has been us ed in the RHB calculations. The ground-state properties of very heavy nuclei with atomic numbers Z = 100-114 and neutron numbers N = 154-190 have been obtained. The results show that in addition to N = 184 the neutron numbers N = 160 and N = 166 exhibit an extra stability as comp ared to their neighbors. For the case of protons the atomic number Z = 106 is shown to demonstrate a closed-shell behavior in the region of well deformed nuclei about N = 160. The proton number Z = 114 also ind icates a shell closure, Indications for a doubly magic character at Z = 106 and N = 160 are observed, Implications of shell closures on a po ssible synthesis of superheavy nuclei are discussed.