The dynamical eikonal approximation is a quantal method unifying the semiclassical time-dependent and eikonal methods by taking into account interference effects. The principle of the calculation is described and expressions for different types of cross sections are established for two variants of the method, differing by a phase choice. The “coherent” variant respects rotational symmetry around the beam axis and is therefore prefered. A good agreement is obtained with experimental differential and integrated cross sections for the elastic breakup of the ${}^{11}\mathrm{Be}$ halo nucleus on ${}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ and ${}^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ near 70 MeV/nucleon, without any parameter adjustment. The dynamical approximation is compared with the traditional eikonal method. Differences are analyzed and the respective merits of both methods are discussed.

• Received 8 September 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.73.024602