Random forest-based prediction of decay modes and half-lives of superheavy nuclei

Information on the decay process of nuclides in the superheavy region is critical in investigating new elements beyond oganesson and the island of stability. This paper presents the application of a random forest algorithm to examine the competition among different decay modes in the superheavy region, including alpha decay, beta(-) decay, beta(+) decay, electron capture and spontaneous fission. The observed half-lives and dominant decay mode are well reproduced. The dominant decay mode of 96.9% of the nuclei beyond Po-212 is correctly obtained. Further, a decay is predicted to be the dominant decay mode for isotopes in new elements Z = 119 - 122, except for spontaneous fission in certain even-even elements owing to the increased Coulomb repulsion and odd-even effect. The predicted half-lives demonstrate the existence of a long-lived spontaneous fission island southwest of (298)Fl caused by the competition between the fission barrier and Coulomb repulsion. A better understanding of spontaneous fission, particularly beyond (286)Fl, is crucial in the search for new elements and the island of stability.