Sub-coulomb energy 12C + 10, 11B and 14N + 10B fusion cross sections

Total fusion cross sections have been measured for the following reactions and energy intervals: ¹²C + ¹⁰B, E_c.m. = 2.10–5.38 MeV; ¹²C + ¹¹B, E_c.m. = 2.10–5.99 MeV; ¹⁴N + ¹⁰B, E_c.m. = 2.64–5.97 MeV. Absolute cross sections were extracted from the prompt γ-rays emitted by the various residual nuclei and measured by two large NaI detectors. No resonance structure was observed in the three reactions. The elastic scattering excitation function was also measured at θ_c.m. = 90.4° for ¹²C + ¹⁰B over the energy range E_c.m. = 3.18–6.82 MeV. Optical model potentials were found which could consistently describe both the fusion and elastic scattering data.     

Fusion and neutron-transfer cross sections for 13C + 10B and 13C + 11B reactions at subbarrier energies

The cross sections for the ¹⁰B(¹³C, ¹²C)¹¹B neutron-transfer reaction, leading to the ¹¹B 4.45 and 6.74 MeV and ¹²C 4.44 MeV excited states, and for ¹³C + ¹⁰B fusion have been measured by the characteristic and total γ-ray yield methods, respectively, over the energy (c.m.) interval 2.4–5.8 MeV. For ¹³C + ¹¹B, with no transfer reactions present, the fusion cross sections have been measured between E_c.m. = 2.3 and 6.4 MeV. The fusion cross sections for ¹³C + ¹⁰B and ¹³C + ¹¹B are found to be almost equal and slightly enhanced with respect to those for ¹²C + ¹⁰B and ¹²C + ¹¹B.     

Measurement of the 11B(11B, 10Be)12C proton transfer reaction at low energies

Differential cross sections for the ¹¹B(¹¹B,¹⁰Be)¹²C proton transfer reaction leading to the ¹⁰Be(g.sO+¹²C(4.43 MeV) $\text{(Q = 0.289}\text{MeV}\text{)}\text{and}{}^{10}\text{(3.37}\text{MeV}\text{) +}{}^{12}\text{C}\text{(g.s.) (Q = 1.36}\text{Me V}\text{)}$ final channels have been measured at E_c.m. = 5.5 MeV by coincident detection of the ¹⁰Be and ¹²C nuclei. The integrated cross sections for the ¹⁰Be + ¹²C(4.43 MeV) channel have been obtained for incident energies between E_c.m. = 2.66 and 3.64 MeV from the yields of the 4.43 MeV γ-ray emitted in the ¹²C 4.43 MeV → g.s. transition. The cross-section magnitudes compare well with the DWBA calculations. The sub-barrier transfer cross sections exhibit an unusual energy dependence: their ratio to the total reaction cross section is decreasing with decreasing incident energy.     

Experimental determination of the total reaction cross section of the stellar nuclear reaction 16O + 16O

The total reaction cross section for ¹⁶O + ¹⁶O has been measured at six energies between E_c.m. = 6.8 and 11.9 MeV. Cross sections for the production of protons, alphas, neutrons, deuterons, ³¹S, ³⁰P, ¹²C(g.s.) + ²⁰Ne(g.s.) and the relative γ-yield were obtained with a variety of experimental methods. No ³H or ³He were found. All cross sections are normalized to ¹⁶O + ¹⁶O elastic scattering at θ_c.m. = 90°, which was measured separately with high precision between E_c.m. = 7.3 and 14.4 MeV. The elastic scattering and relative γ-yield of ¹²C + ¹²C were measured between E_c.m. = 3.9 and 7.5 MeV. The elastic scattering and neutron yield of ¹²C + ¹⁶O were measured between E_c.m. = 5.4 and 10.1 MeV.     

Total reaction and transfer cross sections for 11B + 9Be and 13C + 9Be reactions at low energies

The total reaction cross sections for ¹¹B + ⁹Be and ¹³C + ⁹Be have been measured by the total γ-ray yield method over the energy intervals E_c.m. = 1.4–4.4 MeV and E_c.m. = 2.0–5.2 MeV, respectively. The cross sections for the neutron transfer reactions ¹¹B(⁹Be, ⁸Be)¹²B, leading to the ¹²B 0.953 and 1.674 MeV states, and ¹³C(⁹Be, ⁸Be)¹⁴C, leading to the ¹⁴C 6.094, 6.728 and 6.902 MeV states, have been obtained from the yields of the characteristic γ-rays. The α-transfer reaction ¹¹B(⁹Be, ⁵He)¹⁵N, leading to many unresolved ¹⁵N states, has been observed with large cross section. There is, however, no evidence for the ¹³C(⁹Be, ⁵He)¹⁷O transfer process in the ¹⁷O + nα channels. This different behaviour of the ¹¹B + ⁹Be and ¹³C + ⁹Be systems seems to indicate that the α-transfer reaction at sub-barrier energies is not a direct transfer process, and that it probably occurs via molecular state formation.     

Total reaction cross section for 12C + 16O below the Coulomb barrier

The energy dependence of the total reaction cross section, σ(E), for ¹²C + ¹⁶O has been measured over the range E_c.m. = 4–12 MeV, by detecting γ-rays from the various possible residual nuclei with two large NaI(Tl) detectors placed close to the target. This technique for measuring total reaction cross sections was explored in some detail and shown to yield reliable values for σ(E). Although the principal emphasis of this work was placed on obtaining reliable cross sections, a preliminary study has been made of the suitability of various methods for extrapolating the cross section to still lower energies. The statistical model provides a good fit with a reasonable value for the strength function, 〈γ²〉/〈D〉 = 6.8 × 10^?2, over the range E_c.m. = 6.5–12 MeV, but predicts cross sections which are much too large for E_c.m. < 6.5 MeV. Optical model fits at low energies are especially sensitive to the radius and diffuseness of the imaginary component of the potential and, since these are still poorly known at present, such extrapolations may be wrong by orders of magnitude. A simple barrier penetration model gives a moderately good fit to the data and seems to provide the safest extrapolation to lower energies at the present time. It is clear, however, that our knowledge of the heavy-ion reaction mechanism at low energies is incomplete, and that cross-section measurements at still lower energies are needed to establish the correct procedure for extrapolating heavy-ion reaction cross sections to low energies.     

Non-statistical effects in the 12C(12C, α)20Ne reaction near Ec.m. = 15 MeV

The ¹²C(¹²C, α)²⁰Ne reaction is studied near E_c.m. = 15 MeV. Angular distributions for three energies and excitation functions at θ_{lab = 30°} over an energy range E_c.m. = 14.5?15.4 MeV for about 20 levels in ²⁰Ne (E_ex = 0–13 MeV) are examined. The statistical analysis yields the results that a correlated resonance is present at E_c.m. = 14.75 MeV. A nonstatistical contribution to the reaction is also apparent when energy-averaged cross sections are compared with the Hauser-Feshbach model predictions. Strong population of the 0⁺₃ band in ²⁰Ne is observed.     

Investigation of the mechanism of the reaction 10B(d, pγ)11B at E d = 15.3 MeV by the method of angular pγ correlations

The results are presented that were obtained by measuring the differential cross sections for the reaction ¹⁰B(d, p)¹¹B occurring at E _d = 15.3 MeV and leading to the production of a ¹¹B nucleus in the ground state (3/2^?) and in the lowest two excited states (the 1/2^? state at 2.125 MeV and the 5/2^? state at 4.445 MeV). The energy dependence of the differential cross section for this reaction was measured for several proton emission angles in the energy range E _d = 12–15.3 MeV. The double-differential cross sections for the reaction ¹⁰B(d, pγ)¹¹B were measured for the 5/2^? state of the ¹¹B nucleus at 4.445 MeV, and the angular dependences of the even spin-tensor components of the density matrix were reconstructed on the basis of these data. The angular dependences of the populations of magnetic sublevels are also given. The experimental results in question are compared with their theoretical counterparts obtained under the assumption of various reaction mechanisms (neutron stripping, heavy-particle stripping, and a two-step mechanism that takes into account the delay of interaction). On the basis of this comparison, the deformation parameters of the boron nuclei were found to be β ₂(¹⁰B) = ?0.55 and β ₂(¹¹B) = 0.4.     

Reaction and fusion cross sections for 32S on 27Al and 48Ti

Elastic scattering and evaporation residues have been measured for the system ³²S + ²⁷Al at E_c.m. = 66.4, 73.2 MeV and ³²S + ⁴⁸Ti at E_c.m. = 96.0 MeV. Reaction cross sections have been obtained by use of the optical theorem and are found to be about 60 % larger than the fusion cross sections.     

Cross section measurements for the 9Be+9Be System at subbarrier energies

The total reaction cross section and the characteristic y-ray cross sections have been measured for the ⁹Be+ ⁹Be reaction in the energy range E_cm = 1.4–3.4 MeV, detecting the prompt γ-rays emitted by the various residual nuclei with two Nal detectors in nearly 4π geometry and with a germanium detector, respectively. The differential elastic cross sections for the same system have also been measured at e_c.m.= 2.2, 2.7 and 3.2 MeV. The cross sections calculated with the “standard” and the proximity optical model potentials, which describe well the total reaction cross sections of the light nuclei, agree with the ⁹Be + ⁹Be elastic-scattering data, but underpredict the total reaction cross section by a factor of 2 to 3. The characteristic γ-ray measurements show that all two-particle emission channels, nα ¹³C, nn¹⁶O, np¹⁶N and αα¹⁰Be are enhanced by about that factor, while the single-particle emission channel, p¹⁷N, is not enhanced.     

Fragmentation of the total cross section in the reaction16O+208Pb

The fragmentation of the total reaction cross section was investigated for¹⁶O +²⁰⁸Pb atE _c.m.=84 MeV andE _c.m.=92 MeV. Total cross sections for the inelastic, transfer and fission channels were measured. The sum of the inelastic and transfer channels accounts for 30% of the total reaction cross section; the residual strength is found in a compoundfission process.     

Fusion cross section for 13C + 13C at low energies

The energy dependence of the fusion cross section has been measured over the range E_c.m. = 3.05–6.88 MeV by detecting the γ-rays from residual nuclei in a 4π geometry. Analyzing the 1.37 MeV photopeak, originating from ${}^{24}\text{Mg}\text{1.37}\text{MeV}\text{→}\text{g.s. transition}$, the cross sections for ²⁴Mg+2n channel were also deduced. The measured fusion cross sections have been compared with those for ¹²C + ¹²C and ¹²C + ¹³C systems and found to be significantly different. For ¹³C+¹³C the fusion cross sections agree with the standard optical-model prediction down to the lowest measured energies, while for ¹²C + ¹²C and ¹²C + ¹³C they are, at the lowest energies, too low. It is suggested that the unpaired valence nucleons facilitate fusion at energies well below the Coulomb barrier.     

Cross sections for 6Li production in the reactions 10B + 16O and 12C + 14N at low energies

Absolute cross sections have been measured for the reactions ¹⁰B(¹⁶O, ⁶Li)²⁰Ne and ¹²C(¹⁴N, ⁶Li)²⁰Ne at several energies in the range E_c.m. = 7.5–16.2 MeV, and 13.8–16.6 MeV, respectively. The predictions of Hauser-Feshbach calculations show generally good agreement with the experimental data without parameter variation. The consequences of an angular momentum cutoff in the entrance channel and in the compound nucleus are discussed.     

Fusion cross sections for 10,11B+12C at sub-Coulomb energies

Total fusion cross sections for the ¹⁰B + ¹²C and ¹¹B + ¹²C reactions have been determined over a 5 MeV (c.m.) energy range extending to ≈ 3 MeV below the Coulomb barrier. Absolute γ-ray yields for specific transitions in the de-excitation of the heavy products following compound nucleus decay were measured using a Ge(Li) detector. Statistical model calculations of the decay modes of the compound nucleus have been used to deduce, from the γ-ray data, cross sections for single proton, neutron and α-particle emission, and to determine total cross sections for compound nucleus formation. No evidence has been found for sub-Coulomb resonances in either reaction. The total reaction cross sections are compared with optical model calculations using different parameter sets and the observed trend in the very low energy cross sections is discussed relative to other reactions in the same mass region.     

9Be + 12C, 9Be + 16O,9Be + 19F reactions at energies below the barrier

The ¹⁶O + ⁹Be reactions have been studied from E_c.m. = 2.0 MeV to 5.1 MeV, an energy near the top of the Coulomb barrier. The cross section for the neutron transfer reaction ⁹Be(¹⁶O,¹⁷O¹ (0.87 MeV))⁸Be has been measured over this range by detecting the prompt 0.87 MeV γ-rays. The total fusion cross section has been determined from E_c.m. = 2.8 to 5.1 MeV by observing individual γ-ray transitions in the evaporation residues with a Ge(Li) detector, and then summing the separate yields. Direct processes are found to dominate the reaction yield below E_c.m. = 4 MeV. A comparison of the energy dependence of the fusion cross section for this reaction and the ¹²C + ¹³C reaction, which proceeds via the formation of the same compound nucleus, ²⁵Mg, reveals differences at sub-barrier energies. Optical model and incoming-wave boundary condition calculations are presented. Data have also been obtained for the near optimum Q-value neutron-transfer reactions ⁹Be(¹²C, ¹³C¹)⁸Be and ⁹Be(¹⁹F, ²⁰F)⁸Be, and these are discussed in terms of a simple model of sub-barrier direct reactions.     

Fusion cross-section measurements for the 13C+13C reaction

Absolute γ-ray yields from characteristic low-lying levels in nuclei produced in the ¹³C+ ¹³C reaction have been measured from E_c.m. = 4.0 to 15.8 MeV using an intrinsic germanium detector. Statistical-model calculations of the decay modes of the compound nucleus have been used to deduce absolute cross sections for the production of the observed residual nuclei and to determine the fusion cross section. Consistency checks on the adopted procedure lead to an estimated absolute uncertainty of ± 15 % on the deduced cross sections. Over the energy range covered, no striking evidence has been found for either broad single-particle resonances or for narrow non-statistical resonances in the cross sections for individual channels. Comparisons are made with optical-model calculations of the reaction cross section and with different expressions for the fusion cross section.     

Investigation of the mechanism of inelastic deuteron scattering on <Superscript>12</Superscript>C at <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis><Subscript>d</Subscript> = 15.3 MeV by the method of <Emphasis Type="Italic">dγ</Emphasis> angular correlations

The results are presented that were obtained by measuring the differential cross sections for the reaction ¹²C(d,d) ¹²C occurring at E _d = 15.3 MeV and leading to the production of a ¹²C nucleus in the ground and the first excited state. The energy dependences of the differential reaction cross sections were measured for three angles of deuteron emission in the range of projectile-deuteron energies E _d between 12 and 15.3 MeV. The double-differential cross sections for the reaction in question were measured for the 2⁺ state of the ¹²C nucleus at 4.44 MeV, and the angular dependences of the even spin-tensor components of the density matrix were determined, along with the angular dependences of the populations of magnetic sublevels and the components of the tensors of multipole-moment orientation. These experimental results are compared with their theoretical counterparts obtained under the assumption of various reaction mechanisms, including collective interaction, heavy-particle stripping, a two-step mechanism that takes into account the delay in the interaction, and the mechanism of compound-nucleus formation.     

Nuclear reaction cross sections of 16O + 16O obtained by γ-ray detection

The partial production cross sections for reaction residues produced by the fusion of ¹⁶O with ¹⁶O have been measured at E_c.m = 9–30 MeV by detecting the characteristic γ-rays with a Ge(Li) detector. The dominant products are ²⁴Mg and ²⁷A1 corresponding to 2α and αp emission from the compound nucleus, respectively. The total γ-producing cross sections σ_R were also derived by summing the partial cross sections after correction for the observed (average) γ-ray angular distributions. The trend in the total cross sections is very similar to the trends derived from an optical model or a statistical-evaporation model calculation. The partial production cross sections were compared with other experimental results at 11.9 MeV and 30 MeV and with the results of the statistical-model calculation. It is concluded that the treatment of angular momentum in the calculation is inadequate for describing the partial cross sections. Structure in the partial and total cross section excitation functions is observed with minima occurring at E_c.m. = 27, 24, 20, 17.5, and possibly 15 MeV. Some of this structure is well established by the statistical accuracy of the data and most, but perhaps not all of it, is correlated in the various channels. This structure is compared with that observed in another experiment and some of its implications are discussed.     

A new determination of the partial widths of the 16.11 MeV state in 12C

The partial widths of the second T = 1 state of ¹²C, at 16.11 MeV excitation energy, have been determined by measuring the ¹¹B(p, γ) and ¹¹B(p, α) cross sections at the E_p = 163 keV resonance corresponding to this state. These measurements result in the new values of Γ_p = 21.7 ± 1.8 eV and Γ_γ = 21.6 ± 3.3 eV, for the partial widths of this state; approximately 3 times smaller and larger, respectively, than the present values in the literature. The new result for the proton width eliminates a serious discrepancy found in an earlier comparison of the partial widths of the T = 1 analogue states of the A = 12 system. Measurements were also made of the ¹¹B(d, n)¹²C¹ reaction to compare the proton widths of the 15.11 and 16.11 MeV T = 1 states; these measurements confirm the new, smaller proton width for the 16.11 MeV state. An attempt was also made to determine the γ-width of the 16.11 MeV state by measuring the γ-branching ratio in the ¹⁰B(³He, p)¹²C¹(γ)¹²C reaction.     

A study of the 12N 2.43 MeV level

We have measured the differential cross sections for the reactions ¹²C(τ, τ′)¹²C(17.77 MeV 0⁺T=1) and ¹²C(τ, t)¹²N(2.43 MeV) at E_τ=44 MeV. The similar shapes of the angular distributions and the relative magnitudes of the cross sections suggest that the ¹²N 2.43 MeV level is the 0⁺T=1 analog to the ^q12C 17.77 MeV level. We have also studied the reaction ¹⁴N(p,t) ¹²N(2.43 MeV) at E_p=52 MeV. The strength with which this level is excited in this reaction is consistent with reasonable two-step calculations assuming the 2.43 MeV level to have J^π=0⁺.