Linear momentum transfer in 40-150 MeV proton-induced reactions with 238U.

Abstract

Angular correlations between coincident fission fragments have been measured for 40-, 90-, and 150-MeV proton-induced reactions on a /sup 238/U target. From these data linear momentum transfer distributions have been derived, which are then compared with other results for protons and more complex projectiles. On a per nucleon basis, protons exhibit the largest average linear momentum transfer values of any projectile over the energy range from E/A = 40 to 1000 MeV. This can be understood in terms of fundamental scattering cross sections, and is qualitatively demonstrated by intranuclear cascade calculations. Both cascade and precompound decay calculations reproduce the linear momentum transfer distributions with moderate success.