Fragmentation cross sections of relativistic 208Pb projectiles

Abstract Production cross sections of more than 270 isotopes ranging from Z = 59 to Z = 82 were measured in the reaction 208 Pb(1 GeV A )+Cu. The method of identifying the projectile fragments and evaluating the production cross sections is described. The experimental data are compared with a modern version of the abrasion-ablation model and with the empirical parameterization EPAX. Apart from deviations in the details they both show an overall good agreement. The cross sections of those fragments which are produced by the removal of protons only test the lower part of the excitation energy distribution. For the first time, the four-proton removal channel could be observed.