Incomplete Fusion inC12+Gd160Collisions Interpreted in Terms of a Generalized Concept of Critical Angular Momentum

The energy dependence of incomplete-fusion reactions /sup 160/Gd(/sup 12/C,..cap alpha..) and /sup 160/Gd(/sup 12/C,2..cap alpha..) has been studied by means of ..cap alpha..-..gamma.. coincidences in the range of bombarding energies 7.5--16.7 MeV/A. Excitation functions are interpreted in terms of a generalized concept of critical angular momentum. An energy threshold (of about 15 MeV/A) is predicted at which projectile fragmentation processes set in rapidly at the cost of the decreasing cross section for binary massive-transfer reactions.