CHARGE AND MASS CHANGING CROSS-SECTIONS OF 158A GeV Pb PROJECTILES ON Al, Cu, Bi, AND Pb TARGETS: FRAGMENTATION PROCESSES

Abstract

We report here on total and partial charge changing cross-sections of 158A GeV lead projectiles on Al , Cu , Pb and Bi stationary targets using CR-39 detectors. Present results are compared with relevant published results. Deep discussion of nuclear fragmentation processes is provided. Stacks of CR-39 Track Detectors with above-mentioned targets were exposed to 158 A GeV 207 Pb projectiles at the CERN-SPS beam facility at normal incidence with a fluence of about 1500 ions/cm 2. Lengths of etched cones on one face of the CR-39 detectors before and after the target were measured for each stack. These measurements were used for determination of total and partial charge changing cross-sections of 158 A GeV Pb 82+ projectiles on these targets in the charge region 63 < Z < 82. The charge resolution (σZ) achieved in the present experiment is ~0.18e. Mass changing cross-sections are derived from the measured charge changing cross-sections using hyper-geometric relationship. A new method is proposed for separate measurements of electromagnetic and nuclear parts of fragmentation cross-sections using ion channeling and blocking conditions of projectiles in crystalline targets.