Calculated patterns for multifragment reduced velocity correlation functions

Abstract

We have investigated the utility of multifragment reduced velocity correlation functions as probes for nuclear fragmentation. Within the framework of the microcanonical statistical model, correlation functions for fragment multiplets (three or more fragments) are found to exhibit characteristic signatures which are strongly enhanced compared to those for two-fragment correlation functions. Further, it is demonstrated that a “pure multiplet” contribution can be extracted from high-order reduced velocity correlation functions. It is proposed that these new/enhanced signatures can provide good probes for multifragment disassembly.