Liquid drop model considerations in HZE particle fragmentation by hydrogen

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Space Radiation Physics
• Quantum Mechanics

Background:

• Heavy ion fragmentation by hydrogen is critical for understanding space radiation effects.
• Accurate cross-section calculations are essential for radiation protection research.
• Existing models require refinement for precise heavy ion interaction predictions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a quantum mechanical model for calculating heavy ion fragmentation cross sections.
• To apply a modified abrasion-ablation collision formalism to hydrogen targets.
• To improve predictions of elemental and isotopic production in heavy ion collisions.

Main Methods:

• Employed quantum mechanical optical model methods.
• Utilized a modified abrasion-ablation collision formalism.
• Estimated prefragment excitation energies using liquid drop and frictional-spectator models.

Main Results:

• Developed a computational framework for particle fragmentation cross sections.
• The abrasion stage models a knockout process, leading to excited prefragments.
• The ablation stage models prefragment de-excitation to final fragments.

Conclusions:

• The developed model provides accurate estimates of elemental and isotopic production cross sections.
• Results show good agreement with published experimental cross-section measurements.
• The model is a valuable tool for space radiation protection research involving heavy ions.