Phase Coexistence in Multifragmentation?

The charge ( $Z$) distributions from intermediate energy heavy-ion reactions depend upon the multiplicity $n$ of intermediate mass fragments through a factor of the form $e^{-cnZ}$. Experimentally $c$ starts from zero at low values of the transverse energy $E_t$ and reaches a saturation value at high $E_t$. In a liquid-gas phase diagram $c=0\mathrm{}$ for the saturated vapor, while $c>\mathrm{}0\mathrm{}$ for the unsaturated vapor. It is suggested that in the $c\approx 0$ regime the source evaporates down to a sizable remnant, while for $c>\mathrm{}0\mathrm{}$ the source vaporizes completely. Percolation of finite systems and nuclear evaporation portray a behavior similar to that observed experimentally.