Relating molecular structure and low-energy fusion through time-dependent wave-packet dynamics: the 12C+12C collision

Recent progress in a quantitative study of the 12C+12C sub-Coulomb fusion is reported. It is carried out using full-dimensional, time-dependent wave-packet dynamics, a quantum reaction model that has not been much exploited in nuclear physics, unlike in chemical physics. The low-energy collision is described in the rotating center-of-mass frame within a nuclear molecular picture. A collective Hamiltonian drives the time propagation of the wave-packet through the collective potential-energy landscape that is calculated with a realistic two-center shell model. Among other preliminary results, the theoretical sub-Coulomb fusion resonances for 12C+12C seem to correspond well with observations. The method appears to be useful for expanding the cross-section predictions towards stellar energies.