Evolution of a spallation reaction: experiment and Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract Reaction cross sections and production cross sections for neutrons, hydrogen, and helium have been measured for 1.2, 1.8 GeV p+Fe, Ni, Ag, Ta, W, Au, Pb and U and are compared with different intra-nuclear-cascade- combined with evaporation-models. Agreement for neutrons and considerable differences for light charged particles are observed between experiment and calculation as well as between different models. The discrepancies are associated with specific deficiencies in the models. The exclusive data measured with two 4π-detectors for neutron and charged particle detection allowed furthermore a systematic comparison of observables characteristic of different stages of the temporal evolution of a spallation reaction: inelastic collision probability, excitation energy distribution, pre-equilibrium emission, and inclusive production cross sections.