Isotopes of lawrencium

Lawrencium (Lr) is a synthetic element, and thus a standard atomic mass cannot be given. Like all synthetic elements, it has no stable isotopes. The first isotope to be synthesized was ²⁵⁸Lr in 1961. There are twelve known radioisotopes from ²⁵²Lr to ²⁶⁶Lr, and 1 isomer (^253mLr). The longest-lived isotope is ²⁶⁶Lr with a half-life of 11 hours. Heavier isotopes are expected to have longer half-lives.

Table

nuclide symbol	Z(p)	N(n)	isotopic mass (u)	half-life	decay mode(s)[1][n 1]	daughter isotope(s)	nuclear spin
	excitation energy
^252Lr[n 2]	103	149	252.09526(26)#	390(90) ms [0.36(+11−7) s]	α (90%)	^248Md
					β^+ (10%)	^252No
					SF (1%)	(various)
^253Lr[n 3]	103	150	253.09509(22)#	580(70) ms [0.57(+7−6) s]	α (90%)	^249Md	(7/2−)
					SF (9%)	(various)
					β^+ (1%)	^253No
^253mLr[n 3]	30(100)# keV			1.5(3) s [1.5(+3−2) s]			(1/2−)
^254Lr[n 4]	103	151	254.09648(32)#	13(3) s	α (78%)	^250Md
					β^+ (22%)	^254No
					SF (.1%)	(various)
^255Lr	103	152	255.096562(19)	22(4) s	α (69%)	^251Md	7/2−#
					β^+ (30%)	^255No
					SF (1%)	(various)
^256Lr	103	153	256.09849(9)	27(3) s	α (80%)	^252Md
					β^+ (20%)	^256No
					SF (.01%)	(various)
^257Lr	103	154	257.09942(5)#	646(25) ms	α (99.99%)	^253Md	9/2+#
					β^+ (.01%)	^257No
					SF (.001%)	(various)
^258Lr	103	155	258.10176(11)#	4.1(3) s	α (95%)	^254Md
					β^+ (5%)	^258No
^259Lr	103	156	259.10290(8)#	6.2(3) s	α (77%)	^255Md	9/2+#
					SF (23%)	(various)
					β^+ (.5%)	^259No
^260Lr	103	157	260.10551(13)#	2.7 min	α (75%)	^256Md
					β^+ (15%)	^260No
					SF (10%)	(various)
^261Lr	103	158	261.10688(22)#	44 min	SF	(various)
					α (rare)	^257Md
^262Lr	103	159	262.10961(22)#	216 min	β^+	^262No
					α (rare)	^258Md
^266Lr[n 5]	103	163	266.11983(56)#	11 h	SF	(various)

1. Abbreviations:
   SF: Spontaneous fission
2. Not directly synthesized, occurs as a decay product of ²⁵⁶Db
3. Not directly synthesized, occurs as a decay product of ²⁵⁷Db
4. Not directly synthesized, occurs as a decay product of ²⁵⁸Db
5. Not directly synthesized, occurs as a decay product of ²⁹⁴Uus

Notes

• Values marked # are not purely derived from experimental data, but at least partly from systematic trends. Spins with weak assignment arguments are enclosed in parentheses.
• Uncertainties are given in concise form in parentheses after the corresponding last digits. Uncertainty values denote one standard deviation, except isotopic composition and standard atomic mass from IUPAC, which use expanded uncertainties.

Nucleosynthesis

Cold Fusion

²⁰⁵Tl(⁵⁰Ti,xn)^255−xLr (x=2?)

This reaction was studied in a series of experiments in 1976 by Yuri Oganessian and his team at the FLNR. Evidence was provided for the formation of ²⁵³Lr in the 2n exit channel.

²⁰³Tl(⁵⁰Ti,xn)^253−xLr

This reaction was studied in a series of experiments in 1976 by Yuri Oganessian and his team at the FLNR.

²⁰⁸Pb(⁴⁸Ti,pxn)^255−xLr (x=1?)

This reaction was reported in 1984 by Yuri Oganessian at the FLNR. The team was able to detect decays of ²⁴⁶Cf, a descendant of ²⁵⁴Lr.

²⁰⁸Pb(⁴⁵Sc,xn)^253−xLr

This reaction was studied in a series of experiments in 1976 by Yuri Oganessian and his team at the FLNR. Results are not readily available.

²⁰⁹Bi(⁴⁸Ca,xn)^257−xLr (x=2)

This reaction has been used to study the spectroscopic properties of ²⁵⁵Lr. The team at GANIL used the reaction in 2003 and the team at the FLNR used it between 2004-2006 to provide further information for the decay scheme of ²⁵⁵Lr. The work provided evidence for an isomeric level in ²⁵⁵Lr.

Hot fusion

²⁴³Am(¹⁸O,xn)^261−xLr (x=5)

This reaction was first studied in 1965 by the team at the FLNR. They were able to detect activity with a characteristic decay of 45 seconds, which was assigned to²⁵⁶Lr or ²⁵⁷Lr. Later work suggests an assignment to ²⁵⁶Lr. Further studies in 1968 produced an 8.35–8.60 MeV alpha activity with a half-life of 35 seconds. This activity was also initially assigned to ²⁵⁶Lr or ²⁵⁷Lr and later to solely ²⁵⁶Lr.

²⁴³Am(¹⁶O,xn)^259−xLr (x=4)

This reaction was studied in 1970 by the team at the FLNR. They were able to detect an 8.38 MeV alpha activity with a half-life of 20s. This was assigned to²⁵⁵Lr.

²⁴⁸Cm(¹⁵N,xn)^263−xLr (x=3,4,5)

This reaction was studied in 1971 by the team at the LBNL in their large study of lawrencium isotopes. They were able to assign alpha activities to²⁶⁰Lr,²⁵⁹Lr and ²⁵⁸Lr from the 3-5n exit channels.

²⁴⁸Cm(¹⁸O,pxn)^265−xLr (x=3,4)

This reaction was studied in 1988 at the LBNL in order to assess the possibility of producing ²⁶²Lr and ²⁶¹Lr without using the exotic²⁵⁴Es target. It was also used to attempt to measure an electron capture (EC) branch in ^261mRf from the 5n exit channel. After extraction of the Lr(III) component, they were able to measure the spontaneous fission of ²⁶¹Lr with an improved half-life of 44 minutes. The production cross-section was 700 pb. On this basis, a 14% electron capture branch was calculated if this isotope was produced via the 5n channel rather than the p4n channel. A lower bombarding energy (93 MeV c.f. 97 MeV) was then used to measure the production of ²⁶²Lr in the p3n channel. The isotope was successfully detected and a yield of 240 pb was measured. The yield was lower than expected compared to the p4n channel. However, the results were judged to indicate that the²⁶¹Lr was most likely produced by a p3n channel and an upper limit of 14% for the electron capture branch of ^261mRf was therefore suggested.

²⁴⁶Cm(¹⁴N,xn)^260−xLr (x=3?)

This reaction was studied briefly in 1958 at the LBNL using an enriched ²⁴⁴Cm target (5% ²⁴⁶Cm). They observed a ~9 MeV alpha activity with a half-life of ~0.25 seconds. Later results suggest a tentative assignment to ²⁵⁷Lr from the 3n channel

²⁴⁴Cm(¹⁴N,xn)^258−xLr

This reaction was studied briefly in 1958 at the LBNL using an enriched ²⁴⁴Cm target (5% ²⁴⁶Cm). They observed a ~9 MeV alpha activity with a half-life of ~0.25s. Later results suggest a tentative assignment to ²⁵⁷Lr from the 3n channel with the ²⁴⁶Cm component. No activities assigned to reaction with the ²⁴⁴Cm component have been reported.

²⁴⁹Bk(¹⁸O,αxn)^263−xLr (x=3)

This reaction was studied in 1971 by the team at the LBNL in their large study of lawrencium isotopes. They were able to detect an activity assigned to²⁶⁰Lr. The reaction was further studied in 1988 to study the aqueous chemistry of lawrencium. A total of 23 alpha decays were measured for ²⁶⁰Lr, with a mean energy of 8.03 MeV and an improved half-life of 2.7 minutes. The calculated cross-section was 8.7 nb.

²⁵²Cf(¹¹B,xn)^263−xLr (x=5,7??)

This reaction was first studied in 1961 at the University of California by Albert Ghiorso by using a californium target (52% ²⁵²Cf). They observed three alpha activities of 8.6, 8.4 and 8.2 MeV, with half-lives of about 8 and 15 seconds, respectively. The 8.6 MeV activity was tentatively assigned to²⁵⁷Lr. Later results suggest a reassignment to ²⁵⁸Lr, resulting from the 5n exit channel. The 8.4 MeV activity was also assigned to²⁵⁷Lr. Later results suggest a reassignment to ²⁵⁶Lr. This is most likely from the 33% ²⁵⁰Cf component in the target rather than from the 7n channel. The 8.2 MeV was subsequently associated with nobelium.

²⁵²Cf(¹⁰B,xn)^262−xLr (x=4,6)

This reaction was first studied in 1961 at the University of California by Albert Ghiorso by using a californium target (52% ²⁵²Cf). They observed three alpha activities of 8.6, 8.4 and 8.2 MeV, with half-lives of about 8 and 15 seconds, respectively. The 8.6 MeV activity was tentatively assigned to²⁵⁷Lr. Later results suggest a reassignment to ²⁵⁸Lr. The 8.4 MeV activity was also assigned to ²⁵⁷Lr. Later results suggest a reassignment to ²⁵⁶Lr. The 8.2 MeV was subsequently associated with nobelium.

²⁵⁰Cf(¹⁴N,αxn)^260−xLr (x=3)

This reaction was studied in 1971 at the LBNL. They were able to identify a 0.7s alpha activity with two alpha lines at 8.87 and 8.82 MeV. This was assigned to²⁵⁷Lr.

²⁴⁹Cf(¹¹B,xn)^260−xLr (x=4)

This reaction was first studied in 1970 at the LBNL in an attempt to study the aqueous chemistry of lawrencium. They were able to measure a Lr³⁺ activity. The reaction was repeated in 1976 at Oak Ridge and 26s ²⁵⁶Lr was confirmed by measurement of coincident X-rays.

²⁴⁹Cf(¹²C,pxn)^260−xLr (x=2)

This reaction was studied in 1971 by the team at the LBNL. They were able to detect an activity assigned to ²⁵⁸Lr from the p2n channel.

²⁴⁹Cf(¹⁵N,αxn)^260−xLr (x=2,3)

This reaction was studied in 1971 by the team at the LBNL. They were able to detect an activities assigned to ²⁵⁸Lr and ²⁵⁷Lr from the α2n and α3n and channels. The reaction was repeated in 1976 at Oak Ridge and the synthesis of ²⁵⁸Lr was confirmed.

²⁵⁴Es + ²²Ne – transfer

This reaction was studied in 1987 at the LLNL. They were able to detect new spontaneous fission (SF) activities assigned to ²⁶¹Lr and ²⁶²Lr, resulting from transfer from the ²²Ne nuclei to the ²⁵⁴Es target. In addition, a 5 ms SF activity was detected in delayed coincidence with nobelium K-shell X-rays and was assigned to ²⁶²No, resulting from the electron capture of ²⁶²Lr.

Decay products

Isotopes of lawrencium have also been identified in the decay of heavier elements. Observations to date are summarised in the table below:

List of lawrencium isotopes produced as other nuclei decay products

Parent nuclide	Observed lawrencium isotope
^294Uus, ^290Uup, ^286Uut, ^282Rg, ^278Mt, ^274Bh, ^270Db	^266Lr
^267Bh, ^263Db	^259Lr
^278Uut, ^274Rg, ^270Mt, ^266Bh, ^262Db	^258Lr
^261Db	^257Lr
^272Rg, ^268Mt, ^264Bh, ^260Db	^256Lr
^259Db	^255Lr
^266Mt, ^262Bh, ^258Db	^254Lr
^261Bh, ^257Db^g,m	^253Lr^g,m
^260Bh, ^256Db	^252Lr

Isotopes

Summary of all lawrencium isotopes known

Isotope	Year discovered	discovery reaction
^252Lr	2001	^209Bi(^50Ti,3n)
^253Lr^g	1985	^209Bi(^50Ti,2n)
^253Lr^m	2001	^209Bi(^50Ti,2n)
^254Lr	1985	^209Bi(^50Ti,n)
^255Lr	1970	^243Am(^16O,4n)
^256Lr	1961? 1965? 1968? 1971	^252Cf(^10B,6n)
^257Lr	1958? 1971	^249Cf(^15N,α3n)
^258Lr	1961? 1971	^249Cf(^15N,α2n)
^259Lr	1971	^248Cm(^15N,4n)
^260Lr	1971	^248Cm(^15N,3n)
^261Lr	1987	^254Es + ^22Ne
^262Lr	1987	^254Es + ^22Ne
^266Lr	2014	^249Bk(^48Ca,7α3n)

Twelve isotopes of lawrencium plus one isomer have been synthesized with ²⁶⁶Lr being the longest-lived and the heaviest, with a half-life of 11 hours. ²⁵²Lr is the lightest isotope of lawrencium to be produced to date.

Isomerism

Lawrencium-253

A study of the decay properties of ²⁵⁷Db (see dubnium) in 2001 by Hessberger et al. at the GSI provided some data for the decay of ²⁵³Lr. Analysis of the data indicated the population of two isomeric levels in ²⁵³Lr from the decay of the corresponding isomers in ²⁵⁷Db. The ground state was assigned spin and parity of 7/2−, decaying by emission of an 8794 keV alpha particle with a half-life of 0.57 s. The isomeric level was assigned spin and parity of 1/2−, decaying by emission of an 8722 keV alpha particle with a half-life of 1.49 s.

Lawrencium-255

Recent work on the spectroscopy of ²⁵⁵Lr formed in the reaction ²⁰⁹Bi(⁴⁸Ca,2n)²⁵⁵Lr has provided evidence for an isomeric level.

References

1. "Universal Nuclide Chart". nucleonica. (registration required (help)).

• Isotope masses from:
  • M. Wang; G. Audi; A. H. Wapstra; F. G. Kondev; M. MacCormick; X. Xu; et al. (2012). "The AME2012 atomic mass evaluation (II). Tables, graphs and references." (PDF). Chinese Physics C 36 (12): 1603–2014. Bibcode:2012ChPhC..36....3M. doi:10.1088/1674-1137/36/12/003.
  • G. Audi; A. H. Wapstra; C. Thibault; J. Blachot; O. Bersillon (2003). "The NUBASE evaluation of nuclear and decay properties" (PDF). Nuclear Physics A 729: 3–128. Bibcode:2003NuPhA.729....3A. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2003.11.001.
• Isotopic compositions and standard atomic masses from:
  • J. R. de Laeter; J. K. Böhlke; P. De Bièvre; H. Hidaka; H. S. Peiser; K. J. R. Rosman; P. D. P. Taylor (2003). "Atomic weights of the elements. Review 2000 (IUPAC Technical Report)". Pure and Applied Chemistry 75 (6): 683–800. doi:10.1351/pac200375060683.
  • M. E. Wieser (2006). "Atomic weights of the elements 2005 (IUPAC Technical Report)". Pure and Applied Chemistry 78 (11): 2051–2066. doi:10.1351/pac200678112051. Lay summary.
• Half-life, spin, and isomer data selected from the following sources. See editing notes on this article's talk page.
  • G. Audi; A. H. Wapstra; C. Thibault; J. Blachot; O. Bersillon (2003). "The NUBASE evaluation of nuclear and decay properties" (PDF). Nuclear Physics A 729: 3–128. Bibcode:2003NuPhA.729....3A. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2003.11.001.
  • National Nuclear Data Center. "NuDat 2.1 database". Brookhaven National Laboratory. Retrieved September 2005.
  • N. E. Holden (2004). "Table of the Isotopes". In D. R. Lide. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (85th ed.). CRC Press. Section 11. ISBN 978-0-8493-0485-9.