Momenta and masses of heavy projectile fragments $(Z>~8),$ produced in collisions of ${}^{197}\mathrm{Au}$ with C, Al, Cu, and Pb targets at $E/A=600\mathrm{}\hspace{0.5em}\mathrm{MeV},$ were determined with the ALADIN magnetic spectrometer at SIS. Using this information, an analysis of kinematic correlations between the two and three heaviest projectile fragments in their rest frame was performed. The sensitivity of these correlations to the conditions at breakup was verified within the schematic SOS model. For a quantitative investigation, the data were compared to calculations with statistical multifragmentation models and to classical three-body calculations. With classical trajectory calculations, where the charges and masses of the fragments are taken from a Monte Carlo sampling of the experimental events, the dynamical observables can be reproduced. The deduced breakup parameters, however, differ considerably from those assumed in the statistical multifragmentation models which describe the charge correlations. If, on the other hand, the analysis of kinematic and charge correlations is performed for events with two and three heavy fragments produced by statistical multifragmentation codes, good agreement with the data is found with the exception that the fluctuation widths of the intrinsic fragment energies are significantly underestimated. A new version of the multifragmentation code MCFRAG was therefore used to investigate the potential role of angular momentum at the breakup stage. If a mean angular momentum of $0.75ħ/\mathrm{nucleon}$ is added to the system, the energy fluctuations can be reproduced, but at the same time the charge partitions are modified and deviate from the data.

• Received 10 March 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.58.1639