Linear momentum transfer in 292-MeVinduced20fission ofHo165,Ta181,Au197,Bi209, andU238

Angular correlations of fragments both in and out of the reaction plane from 292-MeV ${}_{}{}^{20}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{induced}$ fission of ${}_{}{}^{165}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ho}$, ${}_{}{}^{181}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ta}$, ${}_{}{}^{197}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Au}$, ${}_{}{}^{209}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Bi}$, and ${}_{}{}^{238}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{U}$ have been measured. The correlated data have been evaluated in terms of a full linear momentum transfer component and less than full linear momentum components. The method of evaluation has also been applied to other available data for ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{-}$ and ${}_{}{}^{20}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{induced}$ reactions. The maximum angular momentum $l_{\mathrm{FLMT}}$ associated with full linear momentum transfer for the systems analyzed agrees with the predictions of a classical dynamical model based on the proximity nuclear potential and one-body nuclear friction. Because of projectile breakup, the angular momentum distribution in the composite nucleus is markedly distorted from the (2l+1) distribution expected for full linear momentum transfer.