Elastic scattering of identical ions: 32S + 32S and 40Ca + 40Ca

Elastic scattering between identical nuclei was investigated. The specific kinematical behavior of a symmetric system may enhance certain characteristics of the reaction, which in turn may be used to deduce parameters of the ion-ion interaction. The specific kinematic features discussed are the occurrence of only even partial waves, the coherent interference of scattering amplitudes originating from complementary scattering angles and consequently from different distances of closest approach, and the kinematic matching conditions for quasielastic transfer reactions in a symmetric system which are expected to influence the surface transparency of the optical potential. While the discussed experimental data seem to reveal sensitivity to these features the results are ambiguous