Search with Synchrotron Radiation for Superheavy Elements in Giant-Halo Inclusions

Abstract

Synchrotron radiation was used to excite x-ray spectra from monazite inclusions taken from the same piece of mica as those recently reported to show evidence of primordial superheavy elements. No evidence was found for the existence of superheavy elements in the range of $Z$ from 105 to 129, and, in particular, no evidence was found for $Z=126$ at concentrations of \ensuremath{\sim}5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{9}$ atoms per inclusion or \ensuremath{\sim}1-2 ppm by weight.