Single-proton removal reaction in the IQMD+GEMINI model benchmarked by elemental fragmentation cross sections of 29−33Si on carbon at ∼230 MeV/nucleon

We report on the first measurement of the elemental fragmentation cross sections (EFCSs) of Si29−33 on a carbon target at ∼230 MeV/nucleon. The experimental data covering charge changes of ΔZ = 1-4 are reproduced well by the isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics (IQMD) coupled with the evaporation GEMINI (IQMD+GEMINI) model. We further explore the mechanisms underlying the single-proton removal reaction in this model framework. We conclude that the cross sections from direct proton knockout exhibit an overall weak dependence on the mass number of Si projectiles. The proton evaporation induced after the projectile excitation significantly affects the cross sections for neutron-deficient Si isotopes, while neutron evaporation plays a crucial role in the reactions of neutron-rich Si isotopes. It is presented that the relative magnitude of one-proton and one-neutron separation energies is an essential factor that influences evaporation processes. Therefore, proton evaporation should be incorporated into the reaction model in addition to the direct proton knockout in analyses of Gade-Tostevin systematic for single-proton removal reactions.