Optical model analyses of 1.65AGeV argon fragmentation: Cross sections and momentum distributions

Abstract

An optical potential fragmentation model capable of predicting fragmentation cross sections and fragment momentum distributions is used to analyze recent measurements of 1.65A GeV argon projectiles fragmenting in carbon and potassium-chloride targets obtained with the Heavy Ion Spectrometer System (HISS) at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Bevalac. The theoretical model uses an abrasion-ablation-FSI (frictional spectator interaction) collision formalism to estimate elemental and isotopic production cross sections for comparsion with the measured values. The collision momentum transfer model is incorporated into a Goldhaber formalism to analyze measured transverse and longitudinal distributions of the projectile fragments. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained for all observables.