Heavy ion projectile fragmentation: A reexamination

Abstract

We consider the physical effects responsible for the momentum distribution parallel to the beam of nuclides arising from projectile fragmentation. A simple model relates the widths of these distributions to separation energies and an absorptive cutoff radius rather than Fermi momentum. A one-parameter successful treatment of these widths is explored. Coulomb distortions are found to dramatically influence the observed widths at low bombarding energies, leading to a reduction of width with decreasing energy. A simple model for isotope yields from fragmentation reactions is presented and compared with high energy data.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Projectile fragmentation of $^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{16}\mathrm{O}$, $^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$, $E=2$ GeV/nucleon and $E=10\ensuremath{-}20$ MeV/nucleon; parallel momentum distribution width; isotope yields.