Effects of nuclear deformation on the fusion probability in the reactions of 76Ge + 150Nd and 82Se + natCe

Fusion probabilities for the 76Ge + 150Nd and 82Se + natCe reactions were obtained near the Coulomb barrier, and the effects of nuclear deformation on the fusion process were discussed. The former reaction represents fusion involving the prolately deformed target 150Nd, whereas the latter reaction is the fusion with the spherical target natCe. We obtained the fusion probability by measuring the evaporation residue (ER) cross sections. The system 82Se + natCe showed fusion hindrance in the form of the extra-extra-push energy of 27±5 MeV, whereas the system 76Ge + 150Nd does not show any hindrance at the bombarding energy corresponding to the Coulomb barrier for the collision of 76Ge on the side of 150Nd. Our results suggest that the reaction starting from the compact touching point (side collision) results in a higher fusion probability. (author)