Role of Neutron Transfer in Sub-Barrier Fusion

TL;DR

This study investigates how neutron transfer channels influence sub-barrier fusion in the $^{35}$Cl + $^{130}$Te system, highlighting the significant role of positive Q-value neutron transfer in enhancing fusion probability.

Contribution

It demonstrates the importance of +2n transfer coupling in sub-barrier fusion, contrasting with previous findings and emphasizing the need to consider neutron transfer effects beyond inelastic excitations.

Findings

Enhanced fusion in $^{35}$Cl + $^{130}$Te due to neutron transfer

Significant role of +2n transfer coupling in sub-barrier fusion

Contrasts with earlier studies by Kohley et al.

Abstract

Fusion excitation function of $^{35}$Cl + $^{130}$Te system is measured in the energy range around the Coulomb barrier and analyzed in the framework of the coupled-channels approach. The role of projectile deformation, nuclear structure, and the couplings of inelastic excitations and positive Q$-$value neutron transfer channels in sub-barrier fusion are investigated through the comparison of reduced fusion excitation functions of $^{35,37}$Cl +$^{130}$Te systems. The reduced fusion excitation function of $^{35}$Cl + $^{130}$Te system shows substantial enhancement over $^{37}$Cl + $^{130}$Te system in sub-barrier energy region which is attributed to the presence of positive Q-value neutron transfer channels in $^{35}$Cl + $^{130}$Te system. Findings of this work strongly suggest the importance of +2$n$ - transfer coupling in sub-barrier fusion apart from the simple inclusion of inelastic excitations of interacting partners, and are in stark contrast with the results presented by Kohley \textit{et al.}, [Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 202701 (2011)].