Nuclear multifragmentation and fission: Similarity and differences

Thermal multifragmentation of hot nuclei is interpreted as the nuclear liquid–fog phase transition inside the spinodal region. The experimental data for p(8.1 GeV)+Au collisions are analyzed. It is concluded that the decay process of hot nuclei is characterized by two size parameters: one density at the transition state and one at the kinetic freeze-out. The similarity between the dynamics of fragmentation and ordinary fission is discussed. The IMF emission time is related to the mean rupture time at the multiscission point, which corresponds to the kinetic freeze-out configuration.