Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the transfer of neutrons in weakly bound nuclei. The experiment, performed at Legnaro National Laboratory, focused on the one-neutron stripping process in reactions involving lithium-6 and bismuth-209. The work is published in the journal Nuclear Science and Techniques.
The collaborative research effort has shown that the one-neutron stripping process yields results comparable to those of complete fusion reactions especially in energy regions near nuclear barriers. Contrary to previous expectations, the results indicate that the one-neutron transfer plays a dominant role at lower energies, exceeding the output of fusion reactions.
This research builds on decades of investigations into how weakly bound nuclei like lithium-6 interact with heavier nuclei. Lithium-6 is known for its delicate structure which makes it prone to breaking up and engaging in complex reaction pathways. The study has confirmed that even as energy decreases, the impact of these reactions remains significant, providing new data on how nuclear interactions occur under various conditions.
To read more, click here.