Heavy-ion fusion reactions of light and medium systems have been analyzed within a two-step compound model involving a dinucleus coupled to particle and breakup channels, as well as to the equilibrated compound nucleus. The fused configuration is reached from the entrance channel only via the dinucleus. The resulting fusion cross sections, defined as the summed particleemission cross sections from the equilibrated system, are in reasonable agreement with the data.

• Received 25 February 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.54.2659