Fragmentation of relativistic gold by various target nuclei

We have studied the interactions of gold nuclei ₇₉¹⁹⁷Au at eight different energies between 0.9 and 4.0 A GeV, in targets ranging in mass from hydrogen to lead. This paper combines the results of these studies with earlier measurements at higher and lower energies. We discuss the production of fragments with charges Z between 81 and 50. The systematic trends found have allowed us to improve previously developed empirical relations which predict the cross sections in any target or energy for the production of fragments with 77<~Z<~67. Fragments with single and double charge pickup are observed in all targets at all energies. Fragments which have lost a single charge represent a special case, due presumably to the effects of electromagnetic dissociation. The energy variations of the total cross sections and the approach with increasing energy to limiting fragmentation are studied.