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Why are neutron-rich targets and projectiles needed to make very heavy elements?

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A color-coded periodic table of the elements displays each element's symbol and atomic number, with categories such as alkali metals, noble gases, halogens, transition metals, and actinoid elements distinguished by different background colors. — transuranium element Modern version of the periodic table of the elements (printable).

In the synthesis of very heavy elements, using neutron-rich targets and projectiles is essential to ensure the resulting nuclei possess a sufficiently high number of neutrons.1

If a nucleus has a neutron number that is too low, it becomes extremely unstable, leading to a very short half-life that makes the element unobservable. By utilizing neutron-rich materials, researchers increase the likelihood of creating isotopes that are stable enough to be detected and studied. This approach is critical because the internal structure of the nucleus must be balanced; as atomic numbers increase, the extreme instability of these elements poses significant challenges to their synthesis.12

Scientists aim to reach specific configurations known as magic numbers, where closed shells of protons and neutrons provide increased stability. Theoretical calculations suggest that an "island of stability" may exist near specific proton and neutron counts, and using neutron-rich components helps researchers move toward these more stable, longer-lasting configurations.3