MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION OF NUCLEAR-MOLECULES - APPLICATION TO THE C-12+C-12 SYSTEM

The interaction energy between two oblate 12C ions is calculated by means of the constrained Hartree-Fock method. The influence of the mutual orientation of the ions is investigated by considering two extreme configurations: an axial symmetric one where the two ions approach each with their symmetry axes aligned with the collision axis and a triaxial one where the axes of the fragments are perpendicular to the collision line. The corresponding potentials V1 and V2 display very distinct features. In particular the minima of the potentials occur for quite different interdistances. A method is devised for constructing from V1 and V2 the potentials and coupling factors between two ions rotating with definite angular momentum. Using these quantities in a coupled channel calculation, we explain the gross features of the elastic, single 2+ inelastic and double inelastic cross sections. The same calculation yields good agreement with the fusion data. © 1979.