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.