Light particle and photo induced fission

Abstract A condensed survey is given of the properties of light particle and photo induced fission, mainly of fission cross sections. The various types of intermediate structure observed in fission cross sections are discussed in some detail, including their effect on average cross sections or fission probabilities. The basic sources of quantitative experimental information on the fission barriers are indicated. The symmetry properties of the nuclear shape at the fission barriers as well as the question of competing barriers and/or fission modes are discussed under the light of recent experimental and theoretical results.