OPTICAL-MODEL METHODS OF PREDICTING NUCLIDE PRODUCTION FROM SPALLATION REACTIONS

Quantum mechanical optical model methods for calculating isotope produ ction cross sections from the spallation of heavy nuclei by high-energ y protons are developed from a modified abrasion-ablation collision fo rmalism. The abrasion step is treated quantum-mechanically as a knocko ut process which leaves the residual prefragment nucleus in an excited state. In ablation the prefragment deexcites to produce the final fra gment. The excitation energies of the prefragments are estimated from a combination of liquid drop and frictional-spectator interaction cons iderations. Estimates of elemental and isotopic production cross secti ons are in good agreement with recently published cross section measur ements.