Multinucleon transfer reactions - a pathway to new heavy and superheavy nuclei?

Recently, we reported the observation of several new neutron-deficient isotopes with proton numbers Z ≥ 92 in collisions of ⁴⁸Ca + ²⁴⁸Cm at the Coulomb barrier. The peculiarity is that these nuclei were produced in deep inelastic multinucleon transfer reactions, a method which is presently discussed as a possible new pathway to enter so far unknown regions in the upper part of the Chart of Nuclides. Of particular interest are multinucleon transfer reactions as a possible means to produce neutron-rich superheavy nuclei and nuclei along the magic neutron shell N = 126. Based on present-day physical and technical state-of-the art, we will discuss the question how big are our chances to enter these regions by applying multinucleon transfer reactions.