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 19O + 12C system was measured and the experimental results are compared to the fusion excitation function of 18O + 12C and 16O + 12C. The experiment was performed by utilizing a beam of 19O, produced via the 18O(d,p) reaction, to bombard a 12C target at energies near the Coulomb barrier. Evaporation residues produced in fusion of 18,19O ions with 12C 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 19O ions with a 12C target as compared to 18O 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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