Mean-field effects in intermediate-energy, heavy-ion reactions

Mean-field effects in intermediate energy heavy-ion collisions are studied for ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ + ${}_{}{}^{40}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ca}$ and ${}_{}{}^{40}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ca}$ + ${}_{}{}^{40}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ca}$. At such energies, compression of nuclear matter occurs. The compressed matter produces a repulsive potential ("volcano") which acts as a divergent lens with respect to the nucleon trajectories. In consequence, one or both of the colliding nuclei may be completely disintegrated into a gas whose velocity is slightly less than the beam velocity. Theoretical signatures for the mean-field behavior of these events are presented.