At Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, researchers have made an exciting breakthrough in chemistry by producing a rare element called Livermorium (Lv), with atomic number 116. The achievement involved using a powerful machine called a cyclotron to bombard plutonium-244 targets with titanium-50 ions. The team isolated the newly formed Livermorium atoms from other particles using a specialized device known as the Berkeley Gas-filled Separator.

During the experiment, two "decay chains" were observed. These are sequences of changes that the unstable Livermorium atoms undergo as they decay into other elements. These observations confirmed the successful creation of the element. The process of producing Livermorium is extremely challenging due to the very low production rates, with only a few atoms created even after extensive work. The researchers measured the production rate, known as the cross-section, to be about 0.44 picobarns, indicating the rarity of these reactions.

Using titanium-50 ions instead of the previously used calcium-48 marks a significant change in methodology. This new approach may pave the way for exploring the creation of even heavier elements, expanding the periodic table further. The findings provide crucial insights into the stability and properties of superheavy elements, contributing to the ongoing search for new elements in the "Island of Stability." The research represents a major advancement in the fields of nuclear physics and chemistry.