We study the breakup reactions of B-8 projectiles in high energy (50 a
nd 250 MeV/u) collisions with heavy nuclear targets (Pb-208). The intr
insic nuclear wave functions are calculated using a simple model, as w
ell as a simple optical potential. We demonstrate that nuclear effects
are negligible and evaluate the contributions of various (E1, E2 and
M1) multipolarities. A good agreement with measured data is obtained w
ith insignificant M1 contribution (at 50 MeV/u) and very small E2 cont
ribution. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.