(Detector development and research in heavy-ion nuclear physics)

Abstract

During the period covered by this report, a substantial part of our program has involved studying the response of light nuclear systems to increasing amounts of excitation energy and spin. This work divides into two main parts. In the first we are exploring the nature of the fission process in light nuclear systems. This process is not only of interest because of the characteristic differences observed between the fission of light and heavier nuclear systems, but also because of the role fission plays in limiting the complete-fusion cross sections at higher energies understanding the limits to complete fusion constitutes the second major goal of this program. In particular, we have been exploring the systematics for the onset of processes involving incomplete momentum transfer in lighter nuclear system.