Understanding Proton Emission in Central Heavy-Ion Collisions

Abstract

Two-proton correlation functions for central collisions of ${}^{36}\mathrm{Ar}{+}^{45}\mathrm{Sc}$ at $E/A\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}80$, 120, and 160 MeV are compared to calculations with the Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck (BUU) transport model. Agreement is found at $E/A\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}80\mathrm{MeV}$, but the model predicts too large correlations at $E/A\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}120$ and 160 MeV. The discrepancy may be due to delayed emission of protons from particle-unstable states not modeled in BUU.