  The entrance-channel mass-asymmetry dependence of the compound nucleus
formation time in light heavy-ion reactions has been investigated within the
framework of semiclassical dissipative collision models. the model calculations
have been succesfully applied to the formation of the $^{38}$Ar compound
nucleus as populated via the $^{9}$Be+$^{29}$Si, $^{11}$B+$^{27}$Al,
$^{12}$C+$^{26}$Mg and $^{19}$F+$^{19}$F entrance channels. The shape evolution
of several other light composite systems appears to be consistent with the
so-called "Fusion Inhibition Factor" which has been experimentally observed. As
found previously in more massive systems for the fusion-evaporation process,
the entrance-channel mass-asymmetry degree of freedom appears to determine the
competition between the different mechanisms as well as the time scales
involved.

Nuclear Theory