Two-particle correlations at small relative momenta provide information about the space-time extent and the excitation energy density of the emitting system. Detailed measurements of two-particle correlations were performed for ${}_{}{}^{40}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{induced}$ reactions on ${}_{}{}^{197}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Au}$ at E/A=60 MeV. In general, more pronounced correlations are measured for particles of higher outgoing energy. From the relative populations of excited states, a mean emission temperature of T≊5.5 MeV is extracted. Within the framework of the quantum statistical model, our findings are consistent with an expanding nuclear system which disintegrates at low temperature (T≊5.5 MeV) and rather low density (ρ≤0.1${\rho }_0$).

• Received 4 September 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.35.1695