Quasi-molecular states of neutrons in dinuclear systems and their effect on fusion of heavy atomic nuclei

The evolution of the wave functions of valence neutrons upon collisions of heavy nuclei having energies near the Coulomb barrier has been investigated by numerical solution of the multidimensional time-dependent Schrödinger equation. It is shown that even before overcoming the barrier by nuclei the wave functions of valence neutrons are extended to their volumes with occupation of quasi-molecular states. This process results in a significant effect of neutron transfers on nuclear fusion and, in particular, in a significant increase in the probability of subbarrier fusion for certain combinations of nuclei.