A Thomas-Fermi approach is used to investigate the importance of the nuclear density distribution on pre-equilibrium decay. Two different density-dependent phenomena are pointed out, and both are shown to be equally important in modifying and improving pre-equilibrium decay predictions with respect to earlier models in which average density distributions were assumed.

• Received 13 January 1972

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.28.757