The shattering of a nucleus by a highly energetic cosmic-ray particle.
is the production of light nuclei in collisions between either an energetic heavy nucleus and a low energy proton of the interstellar medium or an energetic proton and a low energy heavy nucleus of the interstellar medium. This process accounts for the relatively high abundance of Be, Li and B in cosmic rays.
(physics) a nuclear reaction in which a bombarded nucleus breaks up into many particles; "some astronomers believe that the solar system was formed by spallation when the sun was a very young star"
A process of particle emission where very-highly excited nuclei emit various numbers of nucleons. It was originally observed by Seaborg and Perlman in 1947 who found that nuclides with intermediate mass and atomic number emit up to 20-30 nucleons when bombarded by 400 MeV alpha particles or 200 MeV deuterons. Synonym: nuclear spallation.
the abrasion and removal of fragments of a target which is bombarded by protons in an accelerator. The fragments may be protons, neutrons or other light particles.
In general, spallation is a process in which fragments of material are ejected from a body due to impact or stress. In nuclear physics, it is the process in which a heavy nucleus emits a large number of nucleons as a result of being hit by a high-energy proton, thus greatly reducing its atomic weight. In the context of impact physics it describes ejection or vaporization of material from a target during impact by a projectile.