Evaporation residue studies for the ¹⁶O + ²⁰⁸Pb and ¹⁸O + ²⁰⁶Pb systems

It is well known that the nuclear dynamics at different stages of fusion-fission process can be understood using heavy ion reactions. The dynamics of a fused system can be studied by measuring neutrons, charged particles, high energy gamma radiations and evaporation residues (ERs). It is also known that the excess of pre-scission particles in comparison with standard statistical model predictions indicates that the fission process in heavy ion reaction is delayed. Already two groups have measured the ER cross sections of ²²⁴Th and found that measured data not only disagree with one another but also observe unpredicted oscillating nature at higher excitation energies. In view of these, we have undertaken this work. The objective of which is to understand fission hindrance in ²²⁴Th by measuring ER cross sections and spin distributions. To understand the role of excess two neutrons in ER cross sections and spin distributions, the highly excited ²²⁴Th compound nucleus was formed using ¹⁸O + ²⁰⁶Pb system in addition to ¹⁶O + ²⁰⁸Pb system