Fusion cross sections for 10,11B+ 12C at sub-Coulomb energies

Abstract

Total fusion cross sections for the 10B + 12C and 11B + 12C reactions have been determined over a 5 MeV (c.m.) energy range extending to ≈ 3 MeV below the Coulomb barrier. Absolute γ-ray yields for specific transitions in the de-excitation of the heavy products following compound nucleus decay were measured using a Ge(Li) detector. Statistical model calculations of the decay modes of the compound nucleus have been used to deduce, from the γ-ray data, cross sections for single proton, neutron and α-particle emission, and to determine total cross sections for compound nucleus formation. No evidence has been found for sub-Coulomb resonances in either reaction. The total reaction cross sections are compared with optical model calculations using different parameter sets and the observed trend in the very low energy cross sections is discussed relative to other reactions in the same mass region.