Additional evidence for fusion-fission in sup 32 S+ sup 24 Mg reactions: Division of excitation energy and spin in the fission fragments

We have measured {gamma} rays in coincidence with {sup 12}C fragments from the fission of {sup 56}Ni produced with the {sup 32}S+{sup 24}Mg reaction at {ital E}{sub lab}=140 MeV. These data provide insight into the fission process in this light system by giving information about the energy and spin sharing between the {sup 12}C and {sup 44}Ti fragments, and the spin alignment of the lighter, {sup 12}C fragment. The spin transfer and the nuclear temperature'' at scission deduced from this measurement can be related to the compound-nucleus spin and potential energy at scission. The results indicate a statistical decay process consistent with the predictions of the transition-state model employing newer estimates of the spin- and mass-asymmetry-dependent saddle-point energies and corresponding shapes. No evidence is found for the spin alignment of the {sup 12}C fragments, contrary to what might be expected for a deep-inelastic scattering origin of the fully energy damped yields.