''Preresidue'' light charged particles from 28Si+165Ho, 16O+197Au, and 16O+208Pb fusion

Proton and α-particle spectral shapes and multiplicities have been measured in coincidence with evaporation residues from 145 to 220 MeV 28Si+165Ho and 115 and 140 MeV 16O+197Au,208Pb fusion reactions. Evaporation residues were separated using an electrostatic deflector and detected with large area surface barrier detectors. Light charged particles were detected at forward and backward angles with 14 single NaI detectors. In the context of the statistical model, the charged particle spectra provide information about the shapes and level densities of the emitting systems. Deformed emitters are inferred, and to a varying degree, an energy-dependent level density parameter is compatible with the data in each of the three cases. Implications for current fusion and fission dynamics studies are discussed