Diffusion as a possible mechanism controlling the production of superheavy nuclei in cold fusion reactions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the fusion probability of superheavy nuclei in cold fusion reactions using the fusion-by-diffusion model, successfully explaining experimental data and highlighting the role of angular momentum and rotational energies.

Contribution

It applies the fusion-by-diffusion model with new nuclear data to explain superheavy nuclei production, emphasizing the impact of angular momentum and rotational energies.

Findings

The model reproduces the saturation of fusion probability above the interaction barrier.

Higher partial wave contributions are suppressed at energies above the barrier.

Differences in rotational energies influence the fusion saddle point and contact configurations.

Abstract

The fusion probability for the production of superheavy nuclei in cold fusion reactions was investigated and compared with recent experimental results for $^{48}$Ca, $^{50}$Ti, and $^{54}$Cr incident on a $^{208}$Pb target. Calculations were performed within the fusion-by-diffusion model (FbD) using new nuclear data tables by Jachimowicz et al. It is shown that the experimental data could be well explained within the framework of the FbD model. The saturation of the fusion probability at bombarding energies above the interaction barrier is reproduced. It emerges naturally from the physical effect of the suppression of contributions of higher partial waves in fusion reactions and is related to the critical angular momentum. The role of the difference in values of the rotational energies in the fusion saddle point and contact (sticking) configuration of the projectile-target system is discussed.