Extracting the Continuum Cross section in Giant Resonance Analysis

The Giant monopole resonance (GMR) is being studied through the inelastic scattering of 240 MeV $\alpha $ particles on various nuclei to better determine nuclear matter incompressibility (K$_{\mathrm{nm}}$) . Since the GMR is above particle decay thresholds, there is a continuum underlying the giant resonances which is at best poorly understood. In order to ascertain the nature of this continuum, a computer program is being developed that allows the input of assumptions about the location, distribution, and strengths of L$=$0-4 multipole distributions which are then converted to cross sections and subtracted from the experimental data at angles from 0-6$^{\circ}$. The resulting continuum for each angle and each target can then be compared to reaction models to better understand the process.