The asymmetry in the parallel and transverse momentum distributions for fragments produced by the fragmentation of ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ at intermediate energies has been partially explained previously by the deflection of the projectile trajectory. The remaining discrepancy of ∼ 25% between theory and experiment is suggested here as due to the scattering angle fluctuation as a result of the damping of the projectile kinetic energy. A model is introduced to study quantitatively this effect.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS Momentum distributions of projectile fragments studied including the effect of statistical fluctuations.

• Received 21 January 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.21.2672