Deformation effect in the sub-barrier capture process

Abstract

The role of prolate and oblate deformations of colliding nuclei in the sub-barrier capture process is studied within the quantum diffusion approach. The calculated and existing experimental capture cross sections are compared in the reactions ${}^{28}$Si + ${}^{198}$Pt and ${}^{40}$Ca + ${}^{194}$Pt with the heavy oblate nuclei. The possibility of the transition of heavy nucleus from the potential minimum with an oblate deformation of the ground state to the minimum with a prolate deformation during the capture process is discussed. The capture cross sections and mean angular momenta of the captured systems are predicted for the reactions ${}^{48}$Ca,${}^{36}$S + ${}^{194}$Pt, where the detection of this transition is possible.