Dynamics and time-scales in breakup and fusion

Nuclear reaction dynamics at energies near the fusion barrier is known to be dominated by quantum effects, such as tunneling, and quantum superpositions that gives rise to channel couplings. The understanding of near-barrier reaction dynamics continues to evolve as improved experimental techniques reveal new facets of interaction dynamics. Recent coincidence measurements using weakly bound stable nuclei have not only provided a complete picture of the physical mechanisms triggering breakup, but have also shown how information on reaction dynamics occurring on time-scales of ∼zepto-seconds can be obtained experimentally. These new experimental findings demand major developments in quantum models of low energy nuclear reactions.