Theory of fragmentation dynamics in nucleus-nucleus collisions

The fragmentation of a nuclear system is described by a dynamical coordinate, the fragmentation coordinate η=A₁?A₂/A₁+A₂ The total Hamiltonian describing a binary heavy ion encounter includes a part H(R, α,η) which describes the fragmentation and its coupling to other degrees of freedom. It is a collective Hamiltonian which is calculated from the microscopic Asymmetric Two-Center Shell Model (ATCSM). The properties of this Hamiltonian are extensively discussed and methods for its solution are described. Formulae for cross sections of specific nuclear fragmentations including fusion are derived.