Precompound decay in heavy-ion reactions

The Boltzmann master equation approach of Harp, Miller, and Berne has been modified to treat the coalescence and equilibration sequence which might be expected in heavy-ion reactions. Assumptions made to accomplish these ends are discussed. Results are presented for sample reactions 109Ag(40Ar,X) at 240 and 320 MeV projectile energy, and 197Au(16O,X) at 214 and 320 MeV. For the latter case, theoretical proton spectra (angle integrated) are compared with experimental yields measured by Symons et al. Very good agreement was found for the shapes of the calculated and experimental precompound spectra. Types of experimental data necessary to rigorously test this model approach are discussed