Identification of fission-like events in the16O +181Ta system: Mass and isotopic yield distribution

Abstract

In this paper, nuclear reaction cross sections for 24 fission-like fragments ($30\ensuremath{\leqslant}Z\ensuremath{\leqslant}60$) have been measured for the 6.5 MeV/A ${}^{16}\mathrm{O}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}+{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{181}$Ta system. The recoil-catcher activation technique was employed followed by off-line $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ spectroscopy. The isotopic yield distributions for yttrium and indium isotopes have been obtained from the experimental data. The variance of the presently measured isotopic yield distributions have been found to be in agreement with the literature values. However, the variance of the mass distribution of fission residues has found to be narrower as compared to other relatively heavier systems. A self-consistent approach to determining the isobaric charge dispersion parameters has been adopted. The measured fission cross sections at 97 and 100 MeV are satisfactorily described by a statistical model code. An attempt has been made to explain the production cross sections of intermediate mass residues in the fission of heavy residues populated via complete and/or incomplete fusion processes.