Sub-barrier enhancement of fusion as compared to a microscopic method in 18O+12C

Measurement of the energy dependence of the fusion cross-sec on at sub-barrier energies provides an important test for theoretical models of fusion. To extend the measurement of fusion cross-sections in the sub-barrier domain for the 18O+12C system. Use the new experimental data to confront microscopic calculations of fusion. Evaporation residues produced in fusion of 18O ions with 12C target nuclei were detected with good geometric efficiency and identified by measuring their energy and time-of-flight. Theoretical calculations with a density constrained time dependent Hartree-Fock (DC-TDHF) theory include for the first time the effect of pairing on the fusion cross-section. Comparison of the measured fusion excitation function with the predictions of the DC-TDHF calculations reveal that the experimental data exhibits a smaller decrease in cross-section with decreasing energy than is theoretically predicted. The larger cross-sections observed at the lowest energies measured indicate a larger tunneling probability for the fusion process. This larger probability can be associated with a smaller, narrower fusion barrier than presently included in the theoretical calculations.