Reaction cross section calculations for deformed nuclei

Abstract

Optical limit Glauber theory calculations of reaction cross sections, used to deduce nuclear sizes from high energy data, are studied in the case of a deformed projectile (or target). We show that a previously applied formula, used to adjust the root-mean-squared radius deduced assuming spherical projectiles, is consistent with results which treat the projectile deformation explicitly within the reaction calculation. The correct interpretation of this formula in studies of reaction cross sections is clarified.