²³⁸U(⁵¹V,xn)^289−xMc

There are strong indications that this reaction was performed in late 2004 as part of a uranium(IV) fluoride target test at the GSI. No reports have been published suggesting that no product atoms were detected, as anticipated by the team.^[8]

²⁴³Am(⁴⁸Ca,xn)^291−xMc (x=2,3,4,5)

This reaction was first performed by the team in Dubna in July–August 2003. In two separate runs they were able to detect 3 atoms of ²⁸⁸Mc and a single atom of ²⁸⁷Mc. The reaction was studied further in June 2004 in an attempt to isolate the descendant ²⁶⁸Db from the ²⁸⁸Mc decay chain. After chemical separation of a +4/+5 fraction, 15 SF decays were measured with a lifetime consistent with ²⁶⁸Db. In order to prove that the decays were from dubnium-268, the team repeated the reaction in August 2005 and separated the +4 and +5 fractions and further separated the +5 fractions into tantalum-like and niobium-like ones. Five SF activities were observed, all occurring in the niobium-like fractions and none in the tantalum-like fractions, proving that the product was indeed isotopes of dubnium.

In a series of experiments between October 2010 – February 2011, scientists at the FLNR studied this reaction at a range of excitation energies. They were able to detect 21 atoms of ²⁸⁸Mc and one atom of ²⁸⁹Mc, from the 2n exit channel. This latter result was used to support the synthesis of tennessine. The 3n excitation function was completed with a maximum at ~8 pb. The data was consistent with that found in the first experiments in 2003.

This reaction was run again at five different energies in 2021 to test the new gas-filled separator at Dubna's SHE-factory. They detected 6 chains of ²⁸⁹Mc, 58 chains of ²⁸⁸Mc, and 2 chains of ²⁸⁷Mc. For the first time the 5n channel was observed with 2 atoms of ²⁸⁶Mc.^[9]

Reaction yields

The table below provides cross-sections and excitation energies for hot fusion reactions producing moscovium isotopes directly. Data in bold represent maxima derived from excitation function measurements. + represents an observed exit channel.

Decay characteristics

Theoretical calculations using a quantum-tunneling model support the experimental alpha-decay half-lives.^[10]

Evaporation residue cross sections

The table below contains various target-projectile combinations for which calculations have provided estimates for cross section yields from various neutron evaporation channels. The channel with the highest expected yield is given.

MD = multi-dimensional; DNS = Di-nuclear system; σ = cross section