Ni58+64Ni subbarrier fusion cross section

The effects on the ${}_{}{}^{58}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ni}$ ${+}^{64}$Ni fusion cross section due to the coupling of the entrance channel to inelastic and transfer channels with positive Q value are calculated, making use of macroscopic form factors for both processes. It is found that the effective lowering of the barrier amounts to ∼8 MeV, consistent with recent experimental data. About 35% of this magnitude results from the positive Q-value transfer couplings.