104 research outputs found
Fission dynamics of intermediate-fissility systems: A study within a stochastic three-dimensional approach
Recent experimental results in sub- and near-barrier heavy ion fusion reactions
Recent advances obtained in the field of near and sub-barrier heavy-ion
fusion reactions are reviewed. Emphasis is given to the results obtained in the
last decade, and focus will be mainly on the experimental work performed
concerning the influence of transfer channels on fusion cross sections and the
hindrance phenomenon far below the barrier. Indeed, early data of sub-barrier
fusion taught us that cross sections may strongly depend on the low-energy
collective modes of the colliding nuclei, and, possibly, on couplings to
transfer channels. The coupled-channels (CC) model has been quite successful in
the interpretation of the experimental evidences. Fusion barrier distributions
often yield the fingerprint of the relevant coupled channels. Recent results
obtained by using radioactive beams are reported. At deep sub-barrier energies,
the slope of the excitation function in a semi-logarithmic plot keeps
increasing in many cases and standard CC calculations over-predict the cross
sections. This was named a hindrance phenomenon, and its physical origin is
still a matter of debate. Recent theoretical developments suggest that this
effect, at least partially, may be a consequence of the Pauli exclusion
principle. The hindrance may have far-reaching consequences in astrophysics
where fusion of light systems determines stellar evolution during the carbon
and oxygen burning stages, and yields important information for exotic
reactions that take place in the inner crust of accreting neutron stars.Comment: 40 pages, 63 figures, review paper accepted for EPJ
Plant–environment interactions through a functional traits perspective: a review of Italian studies
Italy is among the European countries with the greatest plant diversity due to both a great environmental heterogeneity and a long history of man–environment interactions. Trait-based approaches to ecological studies have developed greatly over recent decades worldwide, although several issues concerning the relationships between plant functional traits and the environment still lack sufficient empirical evaluation. To draw insights on the association between plant functional traits and direct and indirect human and natural pressures on the environmental drivers, this article summarizes the existing knowledge on this topic by reviewing the results of studies performed in Italy adopting a functional trait approach on vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens. Although we recorded trait measurements for 1418 taxa, our review highlighted some major gaps in plant traits knowledge: Mediterranean ecosystems are poorly represented; traits related to belowground organs are still overlooked; traits measurements for bryophytes and lichens are lacking. Finally, intraspecific variation has been little studied at community level so far. We conclude by highlighting the need for approaches evaluating trait–environment relationship at large spatial and temporal scales and the need of a more effective contribution to online databases to tie more firmly Italian researchers to international scientific networks on plant traits
Which degrees of freedom play a role in multinucleon transfer processes?
A presentation of some recent significant results obtained in the field of multinucleon transfer reactions at Coulomb barrier energies is given. The comparison of the experimental observables with the predictions of theoretical models treating quasi-elastic and deep-inelastic processes on the same ground reveals interesting features of the reaction mechanisms not clearly identified in the past
Transfer reactions and sub-barrier fusion in 40Ca+90,96Zr
The two systems 40Ca + 90,96Zr have been studied by measuring nucleon transfer reactions at two energies near the Coulomb barrier, thus complementing the available sub-barrier fusion cross-sections. Angular distributions for various transfer channels have been determined. Significantly larger neutron transfer cross-sections are found for the target 96Zr that exhibits the larger enhancement in the sub-barrier fusion cross-sections. All data have been analyzed with a new model for heavy-ion collisions that calculates simultaneously transfer cross-sections, fusion excitation functions and barrier distributions. The model gives a good account of both transfer and fusion data
Sub-barrier fusion of the systems 28,30Si + 58,62,64NiFusion Reactions Below the Coulomb Barrier
Population of nuclei far from stability via multinucleon transfer: the 58Ni+208Pb case
Multinucleon transfer reactions in Ni-58 + Pb-208 were studied at E-LAB = 328.4 MeV. Light products were identified with a time-of-flight magnetic spectrometer and heavy fragments with a multiwire parallel plate detector. From the kinematic coincidence the survival probability of the heavy fragments against fission was derived. Data are compared with semiclassical model calculations
Response function of the magnetic spectrometer PRISMA
The response function of the magnetic spectrometer PRISMA is studied via a Monte Carlo simulation that employs a ray tracing code to determine the trajectories of individual rays through the electromagnetic fields. The calculated response is tested on angular and energy distributions provided by theoretical calculations for the (48)Ca + (64)Ni multinucleon transfer reaction and applied to the corresponding experimental data
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