Dynamical chaos and critical behavior in Vlasov simulations of nuclear multifragmentation

Abstract

We discuss the presence of both dynamical chaos and signals of a second--order phase transition in numerical Vlasov simulations of nuclear multifragmentation. We find that chaoticity and criticality are strongly related and play a crucial role in the process of fragments formation. This connection is not limited to our model and seems a rather general feature.

15 pages, LaTeX, 8 figures available upon request, to be published in the proccedings of the XXXIV Winter Meeting on Nuclear Physics, Bormio (Italy) 22-27 January 1996, ed. I. Iori