The possibility of observing previously postulated neutron-proton correlations in the nuclear ground state via relativistic heavy-ion reactions is examined. The isotope-production cross sections from the reaction of 213-MeV/nucleon ${}_{}{}^{40}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ar}$ with ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$ are calculated with a correlated abrasion-ablation model and with an uncorrelated intranuclear cascade model, and the results compared to recent experimental data. The neutron-proton correlations may only be visible in products near the mass of the fragmenting nucleus.

• Received 2 April 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.43.1139