  Alpha particles emitted from an excited projectile-like fragment (PLF*)
formed in a peripheral collision of two intermediate-energy heavy ions exhibit
a strong preference for emission towards the target-like fragment (TLF). The
interplay of the initial deformation of the PLF* caused by the reaction,
Coulomb proximity, and the rotation of the PLF* results in the observed
anisotropic angular distribution. Changes in the shape of the angular
distribution with excitation energy are interpreted as being the result of
forming more elongated initial geometries in the more peripheral collisions.
