A backward angle measurement has been made of the angular distribution for the states in ${}^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ that decay by symmetric fission to ${}^{12}\mathrm{C}{+}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ in the ${}^{12}\mathrm{C}{(}^{24}\mathrm{Mg}{,}^{12}{\mathrm{C}}^{12}\mathrm{C}{)}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ reaction. A comparison with previous very forward angle measurements indicates a substantial asymmetry in the angular distribution, averaged over a range of excitation energies in ${}^{24}\mathrm{Mg}.$ The observed degree of forward-backward asymmetry is reasonably well reproduced by coupled channels calculations assuming a direct inelastic scattering mechanism. Combining this information with previous measurements of the energy systematics supports direct inelastic excitation as the most likely reaction mechanism leading to the fissioning levels.

• Received 1 October 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.62.054609