Improved Empirical Parametrization of Fragmentation Cross Sections

TL;DR

This paper introduces EPAX 3, an improved empirical formula for predicting fragmentation cross sections in high-energy heavy-ion reactions, showing better agreement with experimental data especially for neutron-rich fragments.

Contribution

The paper presents a new version of the EPAX formula, EPAX 3, which enhances accuracy in predicting fragmentation cross sections compared to previous versions.

Findings

EPAX 3 yields better agreement with experimental data for neutron-rich fragments.

EPAX 3 maintains good accuracy for neutron-deficient fragments.

Most measured cross sections are reproduced within a factor of about 2.

Abstract

A new version is proposed for the universal empirical formula, EPAX, which describes fragmentation cross sections in high-energy heavy-ion reactions. The new version, EPAX 3, can be shown to yield cross sections that are in better agreement with experimental data for the most neutron-rich fragments than the previous version. At the same time, the very good agreement of EPAX 2 with data on the neutron-deficient side has been largely maintained. Comparison with measured cross sections show that the bulk of the data is reproduced within a factor of about 2, for cross sections down to the pico-barn range.