Light nuclei production in relativistic Au+nucleus collisions

We have measured the yields of protons and A=2-4 nuclei in collisions between 10.8 A GeV/ c Au beams and targets of Al, Cu, and Au. The data, which cover a broad rapidity range at low transverse momenta, were measured as a function of collision centrality using a focusing beam line spectrometer and a high-rate centrality detector. We investigate the dependence of coalescence parameters on event geometry. The data are compared with the predictions of an RQMD+coalescence model. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}