OBSERVABLE CONSEQUENCES OF CHEMICAL EQUILIBRATION IN ENERGETIC HEAVY-ION COLLISIONS

The quantum statistical model (QSM) is used to calculate nuclear fragm ent distributions in chemical equilibrium. Several observable isotopic effects are predicted for intermediate energy heavy ion collisions. I t is demonstrated that particle ratios for different systems do not de pend on the breakup density-the only free parameter in our model. The importance of entropy measurements is discussed. Specific particle rat ios for the system Au + Au are predicted, which can be used to determi ne the chemical potentials of the hot midrapidity fragment source in n early central heavy ion collisions.