Heavy ion induced fission and the statistical model

This review tries to present the different aspects of fission in heavy-ion-induced reactions interpreted in the framework of the statistical model. The presentation addresses the limits and conditions of application of this model to the investigation of such reactions. Emphasis is put on complete fusion reactions with equilibration of the main degrees of freedom, i.e. compound nucleus reactions following fusion. Experimental techniques that have been used are widely different from physical to radiochemical methods. Comparison of a great body of experimental results with the statistical model leads to the determination of the properties of a wide range of fissile nuclei and values of the parameters associated with this theoretical model. Some new and interesting aspects are highlighted by recent experiments