Superheavy element search in bismuthinite, Bi2S3

Abstract Samples of bismuthinite were examined by using a neutron multiplicity counter capable of detecting spontaneous fission events in any element. No events characteristic of spontaneous fission decay of superheavy elements were found. If a superheavy element exists in the cosmic abundance ratio estimated from the carbonaceous chrondrite measurements of Flerov et al. then it has not (even weakly) followed bismuth through its geochemical evolution into our bismuthinite samples.