Values of the total reaction cross section ${\sigma }_R$ for the system ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$-${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$ are obtained from the optical model analysis of elastic scattering data at c.m. energies equal to 60, 93, and 135 MeV. An averaging method based on the strong correlation found between ${\sigma }_R$ and the imaginary diffuseness is presented and utilized to obtain ${\sigma }_R$ and an estimate of its uncertainty. The derived values are consistent with calculations showing increased nuclear transparency.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$(${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$, ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$)${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$, $E=140, 218, 315$ MeV; measured $\sigma (E;\theta )$ for g.s.; optical model analysis. Deduced total reaction cross section.

• Received 6 October 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.23.1272