PRERESIDUE LIGHT CHARGED-PARTICLES FROM SI-28-165, O-16+AU-197 AND O-16+PB-208 FUSION(HO)

Proton and alpha-particle spectral shapes and multiplicities have been measured in coincidence with evaporation residues from 145 to 220 MeV Si-28+ 165-Ho and 115 and 140 MeV O-16 + Au-197, Pb-208 fusion reacti ons. Evaporation residues were separated using an electrostatic deflec tor and detected with large area surface barrier detectors. Light char ged particles were detected at forward and backward angles with 14 sin gle NaI detectors. In the context of the statistical model, the charge d particle spectra provide information about the shapes and level dens ities of the emitting systems. Deformed emitters are inferred, and to a varying degree, an energy-dependent level density parameter is compa tible with the data in each of the three cases. Implications for curre nt fusion and fusion dynamics studies are discussed.