We have measured cross sections for inclusive reactions in which 1.7 GeV/N ${}_{}{}^{56}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Fe}$, 1.46 GeV/N ${}_{}{}^{84}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Kr}$, 1.28 GeV/N ${}_{}{}^{139}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{La}$, and 0.8 GeV/N ${}_{}{}^{197}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Au}$ increased in charge by one unit. Combining these results with data on charge pickup by ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$, ${}_{}{}^{18}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$, and ${}_{}{}^{20}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ne}$ projectiles, we find that the cross section for charge pickup by ∼GeV/nucleon projectiles is generally given to within a factor of 2 by the expression ${\sigma }_{\Delta Z=+1\mathrm{}}$=1.7×${10}^{\mathrm{-}4}$ ${\gamma }_{\mathrm{PT}}$$A_P^2$ (in mb), where ${\gamma }_{\mathrm{PT}}$=$A_P^{1/3}$ +$A_T^{1/3}$-1.0. This expression, with roles of projectile and target interchanged, equally well fits cross sections for (p,xn) reactions at GeV energies when summed over x. The factor ${\gamma }_{\mathrm{PT}}$ implies peripheral collisions; the dependence on $A_P^2$ is the steepest ever reported for a nuclear process.

• Received 11 October 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.39.1351