Non-collective excitations in low-energy heavy-ion reactions: applicability of the random-matrix model

TL;DR

This paper assesses the effectiveness of a random-matrix model in describing non-collective excitations in heavy-ion fusion reactions, demonstrating its potential as a practical tool when detailed coupling data is unavailable.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the random-matrix model can accurately reproduce exact calculations for non-collective excitations in heavy-ion reactions, validating its applicability.

Findings

The random-matrix model reproduces exact calculations well.

The model is effective for systems with poorly known non-collective couplings.

It offers a practical approach for complex nuclear reaction modeling.

Abstract

We investigate the applicability of a random-matrix model to the description of non-collective excitations in heavy-ion reactions around the Coulomb barrier. To this end, we study fusion in the reaction $^{16}$O + $^{208}$Pb, taking account of the known non-collective excitations in the $^{208}$Pb nucleus. We show that the random-matrix model for the corresponding couplings reproduces reasonably well the exact calculations, obtained using empirical deformation parameters. This implies that the model may provide a powerful method for systems in which the non-collective couplings are not so well known.