Investigation of the reaction Ni-64+U-238 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 (64)Ni+ (238)U -> (302)U ->(302)120 and (48)Ca + (238)U -> (286)112 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 (64)Ni + (238)U compared to the formation of the compound nucleus with Z = 112 obtained in the reaction (48)Ca + (238)U at an excitation energy of the compound nucleus of about 45 MeV. From our analysis it turns out that the reaction (64)Ni + (238)U is not suitable for the synthesis of element Z = 120.