Sub-barrier fusion of two-neutron halo nuclei

• Published in: Physics letters. B Vol. 695; no. 1-4; pp. 320 - 323
• Main Authors: Gomes, P.R.S., Canto, L.F., Lubian, J., Hussein, M.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 10-01-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Actinides; Barriers; Breakup; Cross sections; Elementary particles; Exact sciences and technology; Fusion of halo nuclei; Halos; Joints; Nuclear fusion; Nuclear physics; Nuclei; Physics; Sub-barrier fusion enhancement; The physics of elementary particles and fields; Tunneling of composite systems; Weakly bound nuclei; Sub-barrier fusion enhancement; Tunneling of composite systems; Fusion of halo nuclei; Weakly bound nuclei; Protons; Heavy nuclei; Neutrons; Actinide nuclei; Density distribution; Cross sections; Energy barrier
• ISSN: 0370-2693; 1873-2445
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2010.10.062

The tunneling of composite systems, where breakup may occur during the barrier penetration process, is considered in connection with the fusion of halo-like radioactive, neutron- and proton-rich nuclei, on heavy targets. The large amount of recent and new data clearly indicates that breakup hinders the fusion at energies near and below the Coulomb barrier. However, clear evidence for enhancement due to halo properties seems to over ride the breakup hindrance at lower energies, owing, to a large extent, to the extended matter density distribution. In particular we report here that at sub-barrier energies the fusion cross section of the Borromean two-neutron halo nucleus 6He with the actinide nucleus 238U is significantly enhanced as compared to the fusion of a similar projectile with no halo. This conclusion differs from that of the original work, where it was claimed that no such enhancement ensues. This sub-barrier fusion enhancement is also observed in the 6He+209Bi system.