Heavy-ion dynamics from the point of view of classical mean-field theory

A simple classical force model, based on mean-field dynamics, is applied to fusion phenomena and other processes in heavy-ion collisions. We find reasonable agreement with trends in the fusion cross section going to heavy nuclei, including the barrier to fusion at high Z²/A. Collision times are calculated for a variety of reactions; recent evidence for non-equilibration of energy suggests that the equilibration time for energy is smaller than 300 fm/c and larger than 50 fm/c.