Structure effects in the region of superheavy elements via the α-decay chain of ²⁹³118

The α-decay chain of ²⁹³118, first proposed in the Berkeley cold fusion experiment ²⁰⁸Pb(⁸⁶Kr, 1n) and now retracted, is calculated by using the preformed cluster model (PCM) of one of the authors (RKG). Also, the possible branchings of α-decays to heavier cluster decays of all the parents in this chain are calculated for the first time. The calculated Q-values, penetrabilities and preformation factors for α-decays suggest that the ²⁸⁵114 nucleus with Z = 114, N = 171 is a magic nucleus, either due to the magicity of Z = 114, or N = 172 or both. The N = 172 is proposed to be a magic number in certain relativistic mean-field calculations, but with Z = 120. The calculated cluster decays point to new interesting possibilities of ¹⁴C decay of the ²⁸¹112 parent, giving rise to a (reasonably) deformed Z = 106, N = 161, ²⁶⁷106 daughter (N = 162 being now established as the deformed magic shell) or to a doubly magic ⁴⁸Ca cluster emitted from any of the parent nucleus in the α-decay chain. Apparently, these are exciting new directions for future experiments.