A simplified optical model description of heavy ion fragmentation

The fragmentation of 213 MeV/nucleon 40Ar ions by 12C targets is described within the context of a simple abrasion-ablation fragmentation model. The abrasion part of the theory utilizes a quantum-mechanical formalism based upon an optical model potential approximation to the exact nucleus-nucleus multiple-scattering series. The ablation stage of the fragmentation is treated as a compound nucleus evaporation. The decay probabilities for the various particle emission channels are computed using the EVAP-4 Monte Carlo computer program. Predictions for production cross sections for isotopes of sulfur, phosphorus, silicon, and aluminum are made and compared with experimental data. The model is also used to compare predicted and experimental element production cross sections for 1.88 GeV/nucleon 56Fe colliding with 12C and 208Pb targets.