Density distribution of 8B studied via reaction cross sections

Abstract Reaction cross sections ( σ R ) for 8 B on Be, C and Al targets were measured at energies of 40 A and 60 A MeV. The density distribution of 8 B was studied through a χ 2 -fitting procedure on the σ R including the high-energy data using the optical limit of Glauber theory with assumptions on the enhancement of the σ R at low energies. The result shows a long tail in the density distribution. Large one-proton removal cross sections were also observed to support the existence of a long proton tail consistent with its binding energy.