title: Alpha-cluster description of excitation energies in 12C(12C,3 alpha)X at 2.1A GeV.
abstract: An alpha-cluster expansion of the Glauber multiple scattering [correction of scatteirng] series is used to calculate the energy transfer spectrum to the 12C projectile in the 12C(12C,3 alpha)X reaction at 2.1A GeV.  Cluster-abrasion response functions are defined in terms of alpha-cluster wave function and the collision dynamics appropriate for heavy-ion reactions.  Comparisons are made to recent quasiexclusive experimental data with good agreement found.  Calculations indicate that substructures in a 12C projectile are likely to be true spectators in fragmentation, however, with virtual states of excitation in the projectile ground state making a significant contribution to the fragmentation cross section.
authors.affiliation: NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia 23681.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Cucinotta
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Dubey
mesh_terms: D000512:Alpha Particles; D001608:Beryllium; D002244:Carbon; D004601:Elementary Particles; D004735:Energy Transfer; D008433:Mathematics; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009686:Nuclear Physics; D011868:Radioisotopes; D012542:Scattering, Radiation