Complex fragments emitted in particle-stable states for the /sup 32/S+/sup nat/Ag reaction at /ital E///ital A/=22. 3 MeV

The emission of complex fragments was studied for /sup 32/S-induced reactions on /sup nat/Ag at /ital E///ital A/=22.3 MeV for angles back of the grazing angle, theta//sub IMF/=20/degree/--50/degree/. The measured fragment kinetic energy spectra peak at energies near the exit channel Coulomb barriers and decrease exponentially at higher energies. The angular distributions are forward peaked, indicating emission prior to the attainment of full statistical equilibrium of the composite system. The relative populations of a large number of particle stable states of these fragments were measured with a spin spectrometer. Comparisons with statistical calculations which include feeding from known discrete particle unbound states and high-lying continuum states indicate emission temperatures of about 3--4 MeV.