Quantum-Mechanical Equivalent-Photon Spectrum For Heavy-Ion Physics

Authors

C. Benesh, Los Alamos National Laboratory
A. C. Hayes, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited - Chalk River Lab
J. L. Friar, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Physical Review C - Nuclear Physics

Volume

54

Issue

3

First Page

1404

Last Page

1413

Abstract

In a previous paper, we calculated the fully quantum-mechanical cross section for electromagnetic excitation during peripheral heavy-ion collisions. Here, we examine the sensitivity of that cross section to the detailed structure of the projectile and target nuclei. At the transition energies relevant to nuclear physics, we find the cross section to be weakly dependent on the projectile charge radius and to be sensitive to only the leading momentum-transfer dependence of the target transition form factors. We exploit these facts to derive a quantum-mechanical "equivalent-photon spectrum" valid in the long-wavelength limit. This improved spectrum includes the effects of projectile size, the finite longitudinal momentum transfer required by kinematics, and the response of the target nucleus to the off-shell photon.

Department

Department of Physics

Original Publication Date

1-1-1996

DOI of published version

10.1103/PhysRevC.54.1404

Recommended Citation

Benesh, C.; Hayes, A. C.; and Friar, J. L., "Quantum-Mechanical Equivalent-Photon Spectrum For Heavy-Ion Physics" (1996). Faculty Publications. 4164.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/facpub/4164