The Glauber S-matrix operator for nucleus-nucleus scattering is expressed as a finite series of matrix elements involving Bell’s polynomials. Analyzing ${\mathrm{\alpha }}^4$He elastic-scattering data at the incident momentum of 4.32 GeV/c, we infer that our expansion is appreciably converging. Further, by applying closure over target and projectile states and neglecting a certain class of terms involving intermediate excitations, we arrive at a recurrence relation for nucleus-nucleus multiple scattering series terms, which invites further study as it seems to provide a simple method for calculating the nucleus-nucleus elastic-scattering cross section.

• Received 18 April 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.43.2412