Role of bulk energy in nuclear multifragmentation

Abstract

Because of thermal expansion and residual interactions, hot nuclear fragments produced in multifragmentation reactions may have nucleon density lower than the equilibrium density of cold nuclei. In terms of a liquid-drop model this effect can be taken into account by reducing the bulk energy of fragments. We study the influence of this change on fragment yields and isotope distributions within the framework of the statistical multifragmentation model. Similarities and differences with previously discussed modifications of symmetry and surface energies of nuclei are analyzed.