Collision Dynamics of Two ²³⁸U Atomic Nuclei

Collisions of actinide nuclei form, during very short times of few 10^-21  s, the heaviest ensembles of interacting nucleons available on Earth. Such collisions have been proposed as an alternative way to produce heavy and superheavy elements. They are also used to produce superstrong electric fields by the huge number of interacting protons to test spontaneous positron-electron (e⁺e^-) pair emission predicted by the quantum electrodynamics theory. The time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory is used to study collision dynamics of two ²³⁸U atomic nuclei. In particular, the role of nuclear deformation on collision time and on reaction mechanisms such as nucleon transfer is emphasized. The highest collision times (∼4×10^-21  s at 1200 MeV) should allow experimental signature of spontaneous e⁺e^- emission in case of bare uranium ions. Surprisingly, we also observe ternary fission due to purely dynamical effects.