The ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ + ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ total reaction cross section has been deduced from the elastic data in the energy region from 15.5-18 MeV (c.m.) using the sum-of-differences method. It exhibits intermediate-width resonant structures which are attributed to quasimolecular resonances in the $A=32\mathrm{}$ system. Reduced partial widths of three resonances have been calculated. They indicate that the structure of the resonant states may not be that of a dinuclear molecule.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$(${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$, ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$), $E=15.5-18.0\mathrm{}$ MeV (c.m.), $\Delta E=50\mathrm{}$ keV; measured $\sigma (\theta , E)$, deduced total reaction cross section and quasimolecular resonances.

• Received 9 May 1983

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.28.735