The validity of the factorization hypothesis for nucleus-nucleus cross sections at high energies

We have calculated nucleus-nucleus cross sections for a variety of projectile and target nuclei and a wide range of energy. Total, reaction and elastic cross sections, as well as the slopes of the elastic diffraction peak, exhibit an approximate factorization property when the nuclei differ by less than 50% in r.m.s. radii. A simple geometrical interpretation is provided for the failure of factorization which occurs when target and projectile differ greatly in size.