Gamma-ray multiplicity distributions in 16O + 152Sm fusion near and below the Coulomb barrier

Abstract We have studied γ-ray multiplicity distributions for the system 16 O + 152 Sm at five beam energies in the range 60–80 MeV, near and below the Coulomb barrier. The data were obtained using a large array of γ-ray detectors and an efficient evaporation-residue detector system utilizing an electrostatic deflector. The data are in good agreement with predictions of angular momentum distributions calculated using a coupled-channels model incorporating the effects of deformation.