Population of the entry states in heavy-ion fusion reactions☆

Abstract The excitation energy and angular momentum dependence of the population of the entry states following fusion of 136 MeV 20 Ne with 146 Nd has been measured with a new type of instrument. Statistical-model calculations reproduce the main features of the data. Structure effects for J⪆45 are evident in the entry lines. The entrance-channel orbital angular momentum distribution leading to fusion has been deduced.