Light nuclei formation in 12CC collisions at 4.2A GeV/c

Abstract

Some properties: average multiplicity, average momentum and average transverse momentum of light nuclei (without identification), produced in 12 CC collisions at 4.2 A GeV /c are studied as a function of centrality. An unexpected change in the behavior of these properties is observed within the same region of centrality, where the multiplicity of the produced light nuclei is increased. These measurements are compared with models, Cascade and Fritiof predictions, which fail to account for the observed effect. It is suggested that the inclusion of nuclear coalescence effect may explain the difference between the measurements and the predictions.