Nucleus-nucleus total cross sections for light nuclei at 1.55 and 2.89 GeV/<i>c</i>per nucleon

Abstract

We have measured total cross sections for protons, dueterons, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles, and $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ on hydrogen, deuterium, helium, and carbon targets at 1.55 and 2.89 GeV/c nucleon using the "good geometry" transmission method. In addition, we measured the inelastic cross sections and elastic slope parameters for reactions initiated by deuterons, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles, and $^{12}\mathrm{C}$. Our results are in good agreement with Glauber theory predictions, but the factorization relation ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{T}(\mathrm{AA})=\frac{{[{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{T}(\mathrm{AB})]}^{2}}{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{T}(\mathrm{BB})}$ is not a good guide. We find ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{T}\ensuremath{\simeq}144{({{A}_{T}}^{\frac{1}{3}}\ensuremath{-}{{A}_{p}}^{\frac{1}{3}}\ensuremath{-}1.48)}^{2}$ mb and ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{IN}}\ensuremath{\simeq}78{({{A}_{T}}^{\frac{1}{3}}+{{A}_{p}}^{\frac{1}{3}}\ensuremath{-}1.25)}^{2}$ mb, where ${A}_{T}({A}_{p})$ is the atomic mass number of the target (projectile).NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{12}\mathrm{C}(^{12}\mathrm{C}, X)$, ($\ensuremath{\alpha}, X$), ($d, X$), ($p, X$), $E=0.87 \mathrm{and} 2.10$ GeV/nucleon; measured total cross section, total inelastic cross section, and slope parameter of elastic scattering.