arXiv · 1603.09314
Fusion Enhancement for Neutron-Rich Light Nuclei
Abstract
Measurement of the fusion cross-section for neutron-rich light nuclei is crucial in ascertaining if fusion of these nuclei occurs in the outer crust of a neutron star. The fusion excitation function at near-barrier energies for the $^{19}$O + $^{12}$C system was measured and the experimental results are compared to the fusion excitation function of $^{18}$O + $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O + $^{12}$C. The experiment was performed by utilizing a beam of $^{19}$O, produced via the $^{18}$O(d,p) reaction, to bombard a $^{12}$C target at energies near the Coulomb barrier. Evaporation residues produced in fusion of $^{18,19}$O ions with $^{12}$C target nuclei were detected with good geometric efficiency and identified by measuring their energy and time-of-flight. A significant enhancement is observed in the fusion probability of $^{19}$O ions with a $^{12}$C target as compared to $^{18}$O ions. The larger cross-sections observed at near barrier energies is related to significant narrowing of the fusion barrier indicating a larger tunneling probability for the fusion process.
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Varinderjit Singh, J. Vadas, T. K. Steinbach, S. Hudan, R. T. deSouza, L. T. Baby, S. A. Kuvin, V. Tripathi, I. Wiedenhover. 2016-03-30. Fusion Enhancement for Neutron-Rich Light Nuclei. https://arxiv.org/abs/1603.09314
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