Potential energy of a heavy nuclear system in fusion-fission processes

We discuss the problem of description of low-energy nuclear dynamics and the derivation of a multi-dimensional potential energy surface that depends on several collective degrees of freedom and allows a unified analysis of deep inelastic scattering, fusion, and fission processes. A unified description is required due to the strong coupling and significant overlapping of these reaction channels in heavy nuclear systems, which are used, in particular, for synthesis of superheavy elements. The multidimensional adiabatic potential is derived based on an extended versio of the two-center shell model. This model leads to a correct asymptotic value and height of the Coulomb barrier in the entrance channel (fusion), and appropriate behavior in the exit channel, giving the required mass and energy distributions of reaction products and fission fragments. The derived driving potential is proposed to be applied in a consistent dynamic analysis of low-energy interactions of heavy nuclei.