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Composite particle production in intermediate-energy heavy ion collisions

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6630985

Experimental and theoretical studies of composite fragment production in intermediate energy heavy ion collisions presented. Inclusive yield measurements were undertaken to differentiate between the various theoretical approaches. The reaction /sup 14/N + /sup nat/Ag at incident energies of 20A, 30 A, and 35 A MeV leading to complex fragments in the range 3 less than or equal to 7 less than or equal to 24 was examined. Theoretical studies had suggested that the production cross sections of such complex fragments might provide evidence for the occurrence of a liquid-gas phase transition in nuclear systems. Since other reactions mechanisms also lead to complex fragment production, these processes were also investigated. The experimental data indicate that further experiments are required before a definitive conclusion can be reached regarding the occurrence of critical phenomena such as predicted in the phase transition theories. Results suggest that further experiments on heavy ion reactions are necessary in the energy range 40A MeV less than or equal to E/sub inc/ less than or equal to 100A MeV.

Research Organization:
Michigan State Univ., East Lansing (USA)
OSTI ID:
6630985
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English