Can neutrons from nucleus-nucleus collisions probe the nuclear-matter equation of state?
The nuclear matter equation-of-state (EOS) is needed for understanding nuclear matter under extreme conditions of density, temperature, and pressure that are relevant for astrophysical objects such as supernovae and neutron stars. The EOS is a crucial ingredient also in modern theories of relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions. Bevalac experiment 848H was designed to probe the EOS by measuring triple-differential cross sections for neutrons from high-multiplicity collisions of equal-mass nuclei as a function of mass number and bombarding energy. The triple-differential cross sections for neutrons with positive center-of-mass rapidities are peaked at an azimuthal angle of 0{degrees} relative to the reaction plane; the maximum azimuthal-anisotropy ratio r({theta}) at each polar angle {theta} is the ratio of the cross section at an azimuthal angle of 0{degrees} to the cross section at an azimuthal angle of 180{degrees}. Experiment reveals that the maximum azimuthal-anisotropy ratio of the neutron triple-differential cross sections does not depend on the mass of the colliding nuclei. To determine whether the maximum azimuthal-anisotropy ratio of neutrons is a good observable for probing the EOS, it is necessary to compare measurements with appropriate transport theory calculations. The authors compare their measurements with Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck (BUU) calculations for different values of the incompressibility modulus K in the EOS.
- OSTI ID:
- 243833
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9304297--
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Journal Name: Bulletin of the American Physical Society Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 38; ISSN 0003-0503; ISSN BAPSA6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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