Investigation of the reaction 64Ni + 238U being an option of synthesizing element 120

This study is concerned with the search for entrance channels suitable to synthesize elements with Z>118. Mass-energy distributions as well as capture cross-sections of fission-like fragments have been measured for the reactions 64Ni + 238U → 302120 and 48Ca + 238U → 286112 at energies near the Coulomb barrier. Compound nucleus fission cross-sections were estimated from the analysis of mass and total kinetic energy distributions. The cross-section drops three orders of magnitude for the formation of the compound nucleus with Z=120 obtained in the reaction 64Ni + 238U compared to the formation of the compound nucleus with Z=112 obtained in the reaction 48Ca + 238U at an excitation energy of the compound nucleus of about 45 MeV. From our analysis it turns out that the reaction 64Ni + 238U is not suitable for the synthesis of element Z=120.