Multifragmentation of a very heavy nuclear system (II): bulk properties   and spinodal decomposition
  The properties of fragments and light charged particles emitted in multifragmentation of single sources formed in central 36AMeV Gd+U collisions are reviewed. Most of the products are isotropically distributed in the reaction c.m. Fragment kinetic energies reveal the onset of radial collective energy. A bulk effect is experimentally evidenced from the similarity of the charge distribution with that from the lighter 32AMeV Xe+Sn system. Spinodal decomposition of finite nuclear matter exhibits the same property in simulated central collisions for the two systems, and appears therefore as a possible mechanism at the origin of multifragmentation in this incident energy domain. 
J.D. Frankland, B. Borderie, M. Colonna, M.F. Rivet, Ch.O. Bacri, Ph.   Chomaz, D. Durand, A. Guarnera, M. Parlog, M. Squall...