Excitation functions for the total cross section in various mutual excitation channels have been measured in the ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ + ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ system using a $\gamma -\gamma$ coincidence technique in the energy range $E_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.\mathrm{}}=24-41\mathrm{}$ MeV. The inclusive cross section for the production of 6.13 MeV $\gamma$ rays has also been measured using a Ge(Li) detector. Gross structure oscillations are seen in the mutual excitation of the second excited ($J^{\pi }=3^{-}$) state; these oscillations are approximately in phase with those of the single excitation cross section, which has also been extracted from the present data using the combined results of coincidence and singles measurements. The general trend of the data is accounted for by recently published coupled channels calculations, although a detailed fit is not achieved.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$(${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$, ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$*)${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$* $E_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.\mathrm{}}=24-41\mathrm{}$ MeV; measured $\gamma -\gamma$ coincidences; deduced reaction mechanism.

• Received 25 January 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.25.2512