Using the statistical model, we analyze deexcitation channels in excited neutron-deficient compound nuclei produced in fusion reactions with heavy ions. The results obtained without special adjustment to the selected evaporation channels are in good agreement with the experimental data near the maxima of excitation functions. The fusion probability, which is calculated with the dinuclear system model, is an important ingredient of the excitation function. Optimal reactions and evaporation channels for the production of neutron-deficient isotopes far from the stability line are proposed.

• Received 10 March 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.68.014616