  Existing data on near-barrier fusion excitation functions of medium and heavy
nucleus-nucleus systems have been analyzed using a simple diffused barrier
formula derived assuming the Gaussian shape of the barrier height
distributions. Fusion cross section is obtained by folding the Gaussian barrier
distribution with the classical expression for the fusion cross section for a
fixed barrier. The energy dependence of the fusion cross section, thus
obtained, provides good description to the existing data on near-barrier fusion
and capture excitation functions for medium and heavy nucleus-nucleus systems.
The fusion or capture cross section predictions are especially important for
planning experiments for synthesizing new super-heavy elements.
