Single particle effects in precompound decay reactions

Precompound decay models generally rely on the use of a partial state density formula assuming equidistantly spaced set of single particle levels. Large errors may be introduced by making the equidistant spacing assumption for nuclei with proton or neutron numbers near or at major shell closures. In this work the simple qualitative considerations of those deviations expected for near closed shell nuclei, compared with experimental results are reviewed, and then used partial state densities calculated with more realistic sets of single particle levels in precompound decay calculations for Zr targets. 13 refs, 14 figs