Optical model analyses of 1.65 A GeV argon fragmentation: cross sections and momentum distributions.

An optical potential fragmentation model capable of predicting fragmentation cross sections and fragment momentum distributions is used to analyze recent measurements of 1.65 A GeV argon projectiles fragmenting in carbon and potassium-chloride targets obtained with the Heavy Ion Spectrometer System (HISS) at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Bevalac. The theoretical model uses an abrasion-ablation-FSI (frictional spectator interaction) collision formalism to estimate elemental and isotopic production cross sections for comparison with the measured values. The collision momentum transfer model is incorporated into a Goldhaber formalism to analyze measured transverse and longitudinal distributions of the projectile fragments. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained for all observables.