From the energy spectra of light particles produced in light-heavy-ion-induced reactions, level densities of the final nuclei as well as the critical angular momenta for fusion may be obtained. The ${}_{}{}^{14}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{N}$, ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}$,18O${+\mathrm{}}^{12}$C reactions were investigated in the energy range 30 MeV<$E_{\mathrm{lab}<60\mathrm{}}$ MeV. Detailed angular distributions of the light particles (p,d,t${,}^3$He,α) emitted in the process were obtained. Fits of the magnitude and shape of the spectra by means of statistical model calculations were used to extract final nuclei level densities. The shape of the spectra and the ratio σ(α)/σ(p) are shown to be sensitive to the fusion critical angular momentum ($J_{\mathrm{cr}}$), offering an alternative method for the total fusion cross-section determination.

• Received 9 May 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.31.152