This three-year award supports U.S.-France cooperative research in nuclear physics involving Stephen J. Sanders and Francis W. Prosser, University of Kansas, and Christian Beck at the Center for Nuclear Research, Strasbourg, France. The objective of the research is to study the details of the formation and decay of highly deformed quasi-molecular resonances in light to medium mass heavy ion collisions. Underlying the research is the role of the fusion-fission mechanism in light nuclear systems. The research involves experimental measurements in both the United States and France. Initial measurements establishing the characteristics of the fission process in a mass 48 system will be done using the ATLAS facility at Argonne National Laboratory. Subsequent measurement of energy-dependent, side-feeding of states in binary fragments will be produced using the EUROGAM detector located at the VIVITRON accelerator in Strasbourg, France. The collaboration takes advantage of unique facilities in both the U.S. and France. Different aspects of the problem will be addressed at the two facilities, with the (EUROGAM) work aimed at decay properties. The project takes advantage of complementary expertise in the fusion-fission process in light nuclear systems.
