Is the concept of a mean free path relevant to nucleons in nuclei?

Abstract

Computes realistic nucleon mean free paths in 12C and 208Pb nuclei by including the effects of Fermi motion, Pauli blocking and the Coulomb and nuclear interaction potentials. These local (i.e. radius-dependent) mean free paths can differ enormously from the nuclear matter value. The meaning of a mean free path in finite nuclei is discussed and an alternative quantity, the absorption probability as a function of impact parameter, is defined.