Deep inelastic collisions in the interaction of 280 MeV 40Ar with 58Ni

Masses and charges of all the nuclei with 5 ≦ Z ≦ 20 produced in the reaction ⁴⁰Ar + ⁵⁸Ni have been identified using combined ΔE · E and time-of-flight techniques. Energy spectra, angular distributions and cross sections have been measured. The formation of an intermediate composite system, in which charge equilibrium is achieved, is discussed. Also, the transition between the quasi-elastic and the deep inelastic process is studied. The angular distribution behaviour is shown to be related to the interaction time. The total cross section of the deep inelastic process has been found to be 700 mb and is compared to the evaporation residue cross section.