Sequential Nature of (p,3p) Two-Proton Knockout from Neutron-Rich Nuclei

Phys Rev Lett. 2020 Jul 3;125(1):012501. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.012501.

Abstract

Twenty-one two-proton knockout (p,3p) cross sections were measured from neutron-rich nuclei at ∼250 MeV/nucleon in inverse kinematics. The angular distribution of the three emitted protons was determined for the first time, demonstrating that the (p,3p) kinematics are consistent with two sequential proton-proton collisions within the projectile nucleus. Ratios of (p,3p) over (p,2p) inclusive cross sections follow the trend of other many-nucleon removal reactions, further reinforcing the sequential nature of (p,3p) in neutron-rich nuclei.