Multifragmentation of big nuclei

Heavy target nuclei split into many fragments when bombarded by protons or heavy ions at very high energies (Esub(p)>10 GeV). A statistical model is presented, which calculates the relative phase-space available for the various multifragment decay channels. It is shown that the Coulomb-interaction between the fragments is crucial. Over the whole fragment-mass region the experimental mass-yield distributions for limiting fragmentation can be reproduced. Further investigations and refinements of the model are needed before a final judgement about the importance of the multifragment phase-space relative to dynamical effects is possible. (author)