From experimental observations of limiting temperatures in heavy ion collisions we derive the critical temperature of infinite nuclear matter $T_c=16.6\pm 0.86$. Theoretical model correlations between $T_c$, the compressibility modulus $K$, the effective mass $m^{*}$, and the saturation density ${\rho }_s$ are then exploited to derive the quantity $(K/m^{*}{)}^{1/2}{\rho }_s^{-1/3}$. This quantity together with calculations employing Skyrme and Gogny interactions indicates a value of $K$ in moderately excited nuclei that is in excellent agreement with the value determined from giant monopole resonance data.

• Received 1 May 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.212701