Cross section of the deuteron–proton breakup as a probe of three-nucleon system dynamics

Abstract

Modern nucleon-nucleon interaction models can be probed quantitatively in the three-nucleon environment by comparing predictions based on rigorous solutions of the Faddeev equations with the measured observables. Proper description of the experimental data can be achieved only if the dynamical models include subtle effects of suppressed degrees of freedom, effectively introduced by means of genuine three-nucleon forces. A large set of high precision, exclusive cross-section data for the 1H(d,pp)n breakup reaction at 130 MeV, contributes significantly to constrain the physical assumptions underlying the theoretical interaction models. Comparison of nearly 1800 cross section data points with the predictions using nuclear interactions generated in various ways, allowed to establish for the first time a clear evidence of importance of the three-nucleon forces in the breakup process. Moreover, the results, supplemented by a set of cross sections from another dedicated experiment, confirmed predictions of sizable Coulomb force influences in this reaction.