Potential-Energy Surface for the Fission of the Superheavy NucleusX184114298

The asymmetric two-center model has been used to calculate the potential-energy surface of the superheavy nucleus ${}_{114}{}^{298}{}_{}{}^{}X_{184}^{}{}_{}{}^{}$. Four shape variables, including two for asymmetric degrees of freedom, were used to describe the nuclear shape. The minimum-potential-energy path for fission follows reflection-symmetric shapes from the ground state to beyond the second barrier; in this region the surface becomes soft and a variety of paths becomes available. For lesser elongations, asymmetric shapes are briefly preferred; for greater elongations, symmetric shapes are preferred. The paths converge in the main, steeply descending scission valley, for which the liquid-drop term dominates and reflection-symmetric shapes are slightly preferred.