Highlights of heavy ion fusion induced by neutron-rich radioactive nuclei near the Coulomb barrier

The use of neutron-rich radioactive isotope beams for synthesizing heavy elements is a subject of continuing interest. Current experiments utilize low intensity beams to study reaction mechanisms for fusion induced by neutron-rich radioactive nuclei. Enhanced fusion cross sections were observed near and below the Coulomb barrier. A lowering of the barrier height was observed for heavy mass compound systems. Future experiments will benefit from improving detectors and increasing beam intensities.