Interplay between quantum shells and orientation in quasifission.
The quasifission mechanism hinders fusion in heavy systems through breakup within zeptoseconds into two fragments with partial mass equilibration. Its dependence on the structure of both the collision partners and the final fragments is a key question. Our original approach is to combine an experimental measurement of the fragments' mass-angle correlations in (40)Ca+(238)U with microscopic quantum calculations. We demonstrate an unexpected interplay between the orientation of the prolate deformed (238)U with quantum shell effects in the fragments. In particular, calculations show that only collisions with the tip of (238)U produce quasifission fragments in the magic Z=82 region, while collisions with the side are the only ones that may result in fusion.
Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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Wakhle
Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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Simenel
Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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Hinde
Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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Dasgupta
Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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Evers
Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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Luong
Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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du Rietz
Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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Williams