APPLICATIONS OF A GLOBAL NUCLEAR-STRUCTURE MODEL TO STUDIES OF THE HEAVIEST ELEMENTS

We present some new results on heavy element nuclear structure propert ies calculated on the basis of the finite-range droplet model and fold ed Yukawa single-particle potential. Specifically, we discuss calculat ions of nuclear ground state masses and microscopic corrections, alpha decay properties, beta decay properties, fission potential energy sur faces, and spontaneous fission half-lives. These results, obtained wit h a global nuclear structure approach, are particularly reliable for d escribing the stability properties of the heaviest elements.