Energy-Dependence of Proton-Induced Xenon Fragmentation and the Approach to Liquid-Gas Criticality in Nuclear-Matter

Cross sections ascribed to a multifragmentation process have been obtained from the measured fragment yields (3less than or equal toZ/sub f/less than or equal to14) in proton-xenon interactions (1less than or equal toE/sub p/less than or equal to20 GeV). The variation of the yields with both mass and bombarding energy can be understood by use of the droplet model of the liquid-gas phase transition. With increasing energy, this model indicates that multifragmentation occurs first in the mechanical-instability region, next in the supersaturated vapor, and fianally in the critical region.