Observable consequences of chemical equilibration in energetic heavy ion collisions

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Abstract
The quantum statistical model (QSM) is used to calculate nuclear fragment distributions in chemical equilibrium. Several observable isotopic effects are predicted for intermediate energy heavy ion collisions. It is demonstrated that particle ratios for different systems do not depend on the breakup density—the only free parameter in our model. The importance of entropy measurements is discussed. Specific particle ratios for the system Au+Au are predicted, which can be used to determine the chemical potentials of the hot midrapidity fragment source in nearly central heavy ion collisions.