Determination of the impact parameter in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions

Abstract

A simple method is proposed for determining the impact parameter in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions. Assuming a monotonous correlation between multiplicity and impact parameter, the multiplicity dependence of the measured cross section is interpreted as an impact-parameter dependence of the geometrical reaction cross section. The reliability of this method is checked to be excellent within the framework of the intranuclear cascade model. Its application to data analysis at lower and higher energies is suggested.