Comparative performance tests of the FLUKA-RQMD system and EPAX 2 previsions vs. experimental data

This work describes the tests performed on the RQMD module (available in the FLUKA code), to support nucleus-nucleus interactions above 100 MeV u(-1). The RQMD-FLUKA system was used to simulate directly simple experimental set-ups to reproduce both secondary hadron production and residual nuclei distributions with ion beams ranging from 100 to 800 MeV u(-1). Recent measurements of residual nuclei distributions due to interaction of light ion beams on high-purity targets were used as reference for testing the RQMD-FLUKA prediction capability. Together with FLUKA, the EPAX 2 code was considered as a further reference in fragmentation cross sections. EPAX shows a general tendency to underestimate the experimental fragmentation cross sections for the considered projectile-target combinations. EPAX underestimations are generally close to 40%, whereas FLUKA predictions are within 20% on the average.