Role of the Hoyle state in the¹²C+¹²C fusion at low energies

Abstract

Abstract.The 12 C+ 12 C fusion reaction is investigated in a multichannel folding model, using the density-dependent DDM3Y nucleon-nucleon interaction. The 12 C(0states are included, and their densities are taken from a microscopic cluster calculation. Absorption to fusion channels is simulated by a short-range imaginary potential and the model does not contain any fitting parameter. We compute elastic and fusion cross sections simultaneously. The role of 12 C+ 12 C inelastic channels and, in particular, of the 12 C(02 ) channel involving the Hoyle state is important even at low energies.