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arXiv · 2505.15390

Enhancing the creation of elements in laser-assisted heavy-ion fusion reactions

Nicholas Thomson·Laura Moschini·Alexis Diaz-Torres
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Abstract

Low-energy fusion of heavy ions is a fascinating coupling-assisted quantum tunnelling problem, whose understanding is crucial for advancing the synthesis of new elements and isotopes. Quantum dynamical coupled-channels calculations of laser-assisted $^{16}$O + $^{238}$U fusion are presented for both a central collision and the total fusion cross-sections, suggesting that laser-nucleus interaction can enhance the average $^{16}$O + $^{238}$U fusion probability by $6-60 \%$ at subbarrier energies using quasi-static laser fields of intensity $10^{27}-10^{29}$ Wcm$^{-2}$ and photon's energy of $1$ eV. Femtosecond laser pulses are shown to reduce this enhancement by many orders of magnitude.

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Nicholas Thomson, Laura Moschini, Alexis Diaz-Torres. 2025-05-21. Enhancing the creation of elements in laser-assisted heavy-ion fusion reactions. https://doi.org/10.1103/myjj-z2j7

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