The present paper describes the measurement of high energy gamma rays (∼5–22 MeV) in the reaction ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$${+}^{181}$Ta. Singles measurements were performed at E${(}^{16}$O)=84, 89, and 107 MeV and the multiplicity gated measurements along with the angular distributions were made at E${(}^{16}$O)=94 MeV. It is seen that the Tl nuclei are nonspherical at the excitation energies and spins relevant for the present work. The angular distribution data can be explained only by incorporating large orientation fluctuations. An attempt has been made to extract information on shape fluctuations directly from the γ spectra. Under the restriction of using a common ‘‘intrinsic’’ strength function characterized by ${\mathit{E}}_0$ and ${\mathrm{\Gamma }}_0$ for the multiplicity gated data sets, a small increase of the effective mean deformation and a drive towards triaxiality (γ∼ 30°) with angular momentum is brought out. If this restriction is relaxed, however, the data can be understood also with a smaller value of γ. The singles data can be understood within the same framework with a higher value of ${\mathrm{\Gamma }}_0$. © 1996 The American Physical Society.

• Received 31 January 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.53.2739