This study quantifies the impact of nuclear de-excitation on correlations in multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reactions. To bridge the gap between initial collision dynamics and final experimental observables, we introduce a hybrid $\mathrm{TDCDFT}+\mathrm{GEMINI}$ approach, integrating time-dependent covariant density functional theory with the statistical de-excitation model $\mathrm{GEMINI}++$. Applied to the ${}^{40}\mathrm{Ca}+{}^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ reaction, our method demonstrates that the de-excitation is essential for reconciling theoretical cross sections with experimental data. Analysis of the cross-section Shannon entropy reveals that new reaction channels open abruptly at a specific energy threshold. By employing mutual information, we show that the de-excitation process significantly degrades the initial quantum entanglement between the projectile-like and the target-like fragments, revealing a key mechanism through which fundamental quantum correlations are lost.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Low & intermediate energy heavy-ion reactions
• Transfer reactions
• Nuclear density functional theory