The energy splitting of the 229Th ground-state doublet is measured to be 7.6+/-0.5 eV, significantly greater than earlier measurements. Gamma rays produced following the alpha decay of 233U (105 muCi) were counted in the NASA/electron beam ion trap x-ray microcalorimeter spectrometer with an experimental energy resolution of 26 eV (FWHM). A difference technique was applied to the gamma-ray decay of the 71.82 keV level that populates both members of the doublet. A positive correction amounting to 0.6 eV was made for the unobserved interband decay of the 29.19 keV state (29.19-->0 keV).
The discovery of a new chemical element with atomic number Z=117 is reported. The isotopes (293)117 and (294)117 were produced in fusion reactions between (48)Ca and (249)Bk. Decay chains involving 11 new nuclei were identified by means of the Dubna gas-filled recoil separator. The measured decay properties show a strong rise of stability for heavier isotopes with Z > or = 111, validating the concept of the long sought island of enhanced stability for superheavy nuclei.
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