Heavy ion projectile fragmentation: A reexamination

Abstract

We consider the physical effects responsible for the momentum distribution parallel to the beam of nuclides arising from projectile fragmentation. A simple model relates the widths of these distributions to separation energies and an absorptive cutoff radius rather than Fermi momentum. A one-parameter successful treatment of these widths is explored. Coulomb distortions are found to dramatically influence the observed widths at low bombarding energies, leading to a reduction of width with decreasing energy. A simple model for isotope yields from fragmentation reactions is presented and compared with high energy data.