Fusion reactions of Ni-58,Ni-64+Sn-124

Measurements of fusion excitation functions of Ni-58 + Sn-124 and Ni-64 + Sn-124 are extended towards lower energy to cross sections of 1 mu b and are compared to detailed coupled-channels calculations. The calculations clearly show the importance of including transfer reactions in a coupled-channels treatment for such heavy systems. This result is different from the conclusion made in a previous article which claimed that the influence of transfer on fusion is not important for fusion reactions of Ni + Sn. In the energy region studied in this experiment no indication of fusion hindrance has been observed, which is consistent with a systematic study of this behavior.