Proton-induced fission cross sections on $^{208}$Pb at high kinetic energies

International audienceTotal fission cross sections of 208Pb induced by protons have been determined at 370A, 500A, and 650A MeV.The experiment was performed at GSI Darmstadt where the combined use of the inverse kinematics techniquewith an efficient detection setup allowed us to determine these cross sections with an uncertainty below 6%. Thisresult was achieved by an accurate beam selection and registration of both fission fragments in coincidence whichwere also clearly distinguished from other reaction channels. These data solve existing discrepancies betweenprevious measurements, providing new values for the Prokofiev systematics. The data also allow us to investigatethe fission process at high excitation energies and small deformations. In particular, some fundamental questionsabout fission dynamics have been addressed, which are related to dissipative and transient time effects