A model for consecutive spallation and fragmentation reactions in inverse kinematics at relativistic energies

Secondary reactions induced by relativistic beams in inverse kinematics in a thick target are relevant in several fields of experimental physics and technology, like secondary radioactive beams, production of exotic nuclei close to the proton drip line, and cross-section measurements for applications of spallation reactions for energy production and incineration of nuclear wastes. A general mathematical formulation is presented and successively applied as a tool to disentangle the primary reaction yields from the secondary production in the measurement of fission of a 238U projectile impinging on a proton target at the energy of 1 A GeV. PACS: 25.40.Sc; 25.70.Mn; 25.85.Ge; 25.85.-w; 24.10.-i; 29.25.-t; 29.30.Aj keywords: SECONDARY AND MULTIPLE REACTIONS IN INVERSE KINEMATICS; In-flight identification in Z and A by magnetic spectrometer, Measured primary spallation and fragmentation cross sections; Fission and evaporation residues cross sections; Spallation reaction, p(238U,X), E=1 AGeV; Relevance for the production of radioactive beams.