Multifragmentation of a very heavy nuclear system (II): bulk properties and spinodal decomposition
arXiv:nucl-ex/0007020 · doi:10.1016/S0375-9474(00)00607-2
Abstract
The properties of fragments and light charged particles emitted in multifragmentation of single sources formed in central 36AMeV Gd+U collisions are reviewed. Most of the products are isotropically distributed in the reaction c.m. Fragment kinetic energies reveal the onset of radial collective energy. A bulk effect is experimentally evidenced from the similarity of the charge distribution with that from the lighter 32AMeV Xe+Sn system. Spinodal decomposition of finite nuclear matter exhibits the same property in simulated central collisions for the two systems, and appears therefore as a possible mechanism at the origin of multifragmentation in this incident energy domain.
28 pages including 14 figures; submitted to Nucl. Phys. A