Momentum distributions of Li9 fragments following the breakup of Li11

A new method, use of a fragment separator as an energy-loss spectrometer, has been developed and used to make the first measurements of the parallel momentum distributions of Li9 nuclei produced in the breakup of Li11. Measurements were made for 66-MeV/nucleon Li11 projectiles on Be9, Nb93, and Ta181 targets. Distributions with Gaussian width of σ19 MeV/c were observed for all targets-the first time such a narrow structure has been observed for medium and high mass targets. From the weak dependence of width on breakup target it appears that the paralell momentum distributions are relatively insensitive to the interaction governing the breakup and reflect an extended neutron distribution for Li11. © 1992 The American Physical Society.

Duke Scholars

Author John H Kelley Physics