Kr+C Reactions to Explore the Asymmetry Dependence of the Nuclear Caloric Curve

Our previous investigations have demonstrated that the nuclear caloric curve depends on the neutron-proton asymmetry. Such a dependence is impacted by the asymmetry energy, and, if sufficiently well characterized, could be used to constrain the equation of state. We have conducted a new experiment to systematically study the asymmetry dependence of the caloric curve. Collisions of 78-Kr and 86-Kr beams with 12-C targets have been performed at 15, 25, and 35 MeV/u. Light charged particles were measured in the FAUST (a Si-CsI array) from 1.6 to 45.5 degrees. Heavy residues were been measured with the QTS (a focusing spectrometer) from 0.9 to 2.3 degrees. Fusion residues are separated from the deep-inelastic residues on the basis of their velocity. The energy and composition of the beam determine the composition and excitation of the compound nuclei after fusion. The light charged particle yields and kinetic properties are sensitive to the temperature of the hot compound nuclei, allowing caloric curves to be constructed.