Fusion reactions with the one-neutron halo nucleus 15C

TL;DR

This study investigates fusion reactions involving the one-neutron halo nucleus 15C, revealing significant sub-barrier fusion enhancement compared to non-halo isotopes, highlighting the influence of halo structure on nuclear fusion processes.

Contribution

First experimental measurement of fusion-fission cross sections for 15C + 232Th near the Coulomb barrier, demonstrating halo effects on fusion enhancement.

Findings

Fusion yield for 15C is 2-5 times higher at sub-barrier energies.

Cross sections for 14C align with trends for 12,13C.

Halo structure influences fusion probability at near-barrier energies.

Abstract

The structure of 15C, with an s1/2 neutron weakly bound to a closed-neutron shell nucleus 14C, makes it a prime candidate for a one-neutron halo nucleus. We have for the first time studied the cross section for the fusion-fission reaction 15C + 232Th at energies in the vicinity of the Coulomb barrier and compared it to the yield of the neighboring 14C + 232Th system measured in the same experiment. At sub-barrier energies, an enhancement of the fusion yield by factors of 2-5 was observed for 15C, while the cross sections for 14C match the trends measured for 12,13C.