Insights into the dynamics of fusion forming heavy elements

A new framework for comparing fusion probabilities in reactions forming heavy elements eliminates both theoretical and experimental uncertainties, allowing insights into systematic behavior, and revealing previously hidden characteristics in fusion reactions forming heavy elements. This, in conjunction with new theoretical developments in modelling entrance-channel effects in fusion of very heavy nuclei, has led to the re-interpretations of existing experimental evaporation residue excitation functions, suggesting different mechanisms for the increase in apparent fusion barrier energies previously attributed to energy dissipation inside the capture barrier (the extra-extra-push).