Theoretical studies of atomic cluster-cluster collisions

A theoretical study on collisions between fullerenes for the systems C-60(+) + C-60, C-70(+) + C-60 and C-70(+) + C-70 is presented covering a wide range of collision energies (50 < E < 250 eV in the centre-of-mass frame). Quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) simulations enable a detailed insight into the underlying mechanism of the different reaction channels. The fusion barriers for the investigated systems are determined and compared with experimental data taking into account the finite temperature of the colliding fullerenes. Structural as well as energetic aspects of the reaction mechanism are discussed from a microscopic point of view. As a counterpart to the QMD simulations, a simple phenomenological fusion model is described and compared to the experimental fusion cross section as a function of the collision energy.