Effect of Flow on the Caloric Curve for Finite Nuclei

In a finite temperature Thomas-Fermi theory, we construct caloric curves for finite nuclei enclosed in a freeze-out volume a few times the normal nuclear volume, with and without inclusion of flow. Without flow the caloric curve indicates a smooth liquid-gas phase transition, whereas with flow the transition may be very sharp. We discuss these results in the context of two recent experiments, one for a heavy symmetric system (Au+Au at 600A MeV ) and the other for a highly asymmetric system (Au+C at 1A GeV ) where different behaviors in the caloric curves are seen. copyright 1997 The American Physical Society