Fragment isotope distributions and the isospin dependent equation of state

Calculations predict a connection between the isotopic composition of particles emitted during an energetic nucleus-nucleus collision and the density dependence of the asymmetry term of the nuclear equation of state (EOS). This connection is investigated for central ¹¹²Sn+¹¹²Sn and ¹²⁴Sn+¹²⁴Sn collisions at E/A=50MeV in the limit of an equilibrated freeze-out condition. Comparisons between measured isotopic yield ratios and theoretical predictions in the equilibrium limit are used to assess the sensitivity to the density dependence of the asymmetry term of the EOS. This analysis suggests preference for a stiff density dependence and indicates that such comparisons may provide an opportunity to constrain the asymmetry term of the EOS.