Clear signatures of specific inelastic and transfer channels in the distribution of fusion barriers

Abstract

Fusion excitation functions for $^{144}\mathrm{Sm}$ + $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ and $^{17}\mathrm{O}$ have been measured to high precision. The extracted fusion barrier distributions show a double-peaked structure which is interpreted in terms of coupling to inelastic excitations of the target. The effect of the neutron stripping channel is evident in the reaction with $^{17}\mathrm{O}$. These barrier distributions show clearly the signatures of specific inelastic and transfer channels.