Statistical emission of complex nuclear fragments

The yields and spectra of complex fragments from highly excited nuclei have been calculated using instanteous emission rates provided by Weisskopf detailed-balance considerations. These calculations follow the ensemble-averaged evolution of the system as it cools by emitting particles. A large number of nuclear species including both bound and unstable states are taken for these particles. This method takes into account several features specific to small finite systems, e.g., binding energy, Coulomb barriers, conservation of energy and linear momentum. The general features of this approach will be reviewed