Synthesis of heavy nuclei using radioactive nuclear beams

A calculation of the expected production rates of the nuclei with 100 < Z < 120 using radioactive nuclear beams has been performed. Starting with the expected beam intensities for the proposed RIA accelerator, all possible projectile-target combinations were considered. A semi-empirical formalism was used to predict, the best cases for further study, which was done with a detailed model, HIVAP. The formalism was tested with known reactions, where production cross sections were predicted to within an order of magnitude (over a range of 10(7)). The calculations show several exciting new opportunities for atomic physics, chemistry and nuclear spectroscopy of the most n-rich heavy nuclei. Stable beams are still the preferred path for new element synthesis.