Study of nuclear structure influencing fusion reactions

The influence of the nuclear structure of projectile and target nuclei on the capture cross-sections was investigated in the fusion reactions 34 S+ 204,206,208 Pb and 36 S+ 204,206,208 Pb. Capture cross-sections were deduced from the fission fragments measured with multi-wire proportional counters. Significantly enhanced capture-fission cross-sections were observed for the 34 S induced reactions compared to 36 S at beam energies below the interaction barriers. The experimental results were compared to a coupled-channel calculation. The enhancement was explained by strong couplings to vibrational states of the 34 S with 204,206,208 Pb. The capture and evaporation residue cross-sections of 34 S+ 208 Pb and 36 S+ 206 Pb reactions which lead to the same compound nucleus 242 Cf are compared and discussed.