RAPID MASSIVE CLUSTER FORMATION

The process of rapid massive cluster formation at low densities is associated with the process of multifragmentation. This phenomenon is studied by comparing the free energy for internally formed clusters with the free energy of the homogeneous system. The importance of considering two freeze-out conditions (entropy-freeze-out and force-freeze-out) in the dynamics leading to multifragmentation is discussed. Calculations of the yield of intermediate mass fragments are made with the expanding-evaporating source model and compared with data. The consequences of distributions in excitation energy, on the observation of multifragmentation, are discussed. © 1990 The American Physical Society.