In parallel to the attempts to synthesize the heaviest nuclei, systematic studies have been made to obtain better understanding of the reaction aspects. The most comprehensive data have been taken for nearly mass-symmetric massive systems. They combine high Coulomb forces in the entrance channel with evaporation-residue cross sections which are high enough to be easily detectable. With these systems, rather cold compound nuclei can be produced, and even radiative fusion was observed. While one of the most salient features of the thoroughly studied fusion of light and medium-heavy systems is the enhanced sub-barrier fusion, the massive systems exhibit a considerable deficit of fusion above the expected potential barrier. This hindrance to fusion may be attributed to the dynamical evolution of the composite system which may lead to immediate reseparation. The experimental data reveal that the hindrance to fusion is strongly influenced by the nuclear structure of the reaction partners. The high fission competition in the evaporation cascade of fissile excited compound systems as deduced from measured evaporation-residue cross sections is compared with the expectations of the statistical model. Experimental evidence is presented.
