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Nuclear-breakup mechanisms in the interaction of relativistic projectiles with heavy targets

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6424128· OSTI ID:6424128
The breakup of a Au nucleus under bombardment with relativistic p, ..cap alpha.., and /sup 20/Ne has been investigated in an extensive, multi-detector study. The present discussion addresses some of the many aspects of the experimental results. A broad distribution of coincident fragment masses is observed, with the total fragment kinetic energy being higher than expected for a fission mechanism for total fragment mass less than or equal to 120. The formation of light fragments is shown to be inconsistent with a binary breakup mechanism, and a multi-fragment target breakup is suggested. In general, the results indicate a broad spectrum of violence in the collisions, from gentle, leading to the production of heavy spallation products and fission, to essentially explosive, leading to multi-fragment breakup into light mas products. These aspects of the reactions represent a late-stage breakup of the target residues and are positively correlated with the violence of the initial fast stage of the collision as measured by the charged particle multiplicity.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6424128
Report Number(s):
CONF-8206132-2; ON: DE83007614
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English