In medium binding energies and Mott points for $d$, $t$, $^3$He and $alpha$ clusters in low density nuclear matter have been determined at specific combinations of temperature and density in low density nuclear matter produced in collisions of 47$A$
MeV $^{40}$Ar and $^{64}$Zn projectiles with $^{112}$Sn and $^{124}$Sn target nuclei. The experimentally derived values of the in medium modified binding energies are in good agreement with recent theoretical predictions based upon the implementation of Pauli blocking effects in a quantum statistical approach.
Clustering in low density nuclear matter has been investigated using the NIMROD multi-detector at Texas A&M University. Thermal coalescence modes were employed to extract densities, $rho$, and temperatures, $T$, for evolving systems formed in collisi
ons of 47 $A$ MeV $^{40}$Ar + $^{112}$Sn,$^{124}$Sn and $^{64}$Zn + $^{112}$Sn, $^{124}$Sn. The yields of $d$, $t$, $^{3}$He, and $^{4}$He have been determined at $rho$ = 0.002 to 0.032 nucleons/fm$^{3}$ and $T$= 5 to 10 MeV. The experimentally derived equilibrium constants for $alpha$ particle production are compared with those predicted by a number of astrophysical equations of state. The data provide important new constraints on the model calculations.
Measurements of the density dependence of the free symmetry energy in low density clustered matter have been extended using the NIMROD multi-detector at Texas A&M University. Thermal coalescence models were employed to extract densities, $rho$, and t
emperatures, $T$, for evolving systems formed in collisions of 47 $A$ MeV $^{40}$Ar + $^{112}$Sn,$^{124}$Sn and $^{64}$Zn + $^{112}$Sn, $^{124}$Sn. Densities of $0.03 leq rho/rho_0 leq 0.2$ and temperatures in the range 5 to 10 MeV have been sampled. The free symmetry energy coefficients are found to be in good agreement with values calculated using a quantum statistical model. Values of the corresponding symmetry energy coefficient are derived from the data using entropies derived from the model.
