Investigation of the exclusive ³He(e,e^′pp)n reaction

Cross sections for the ³He(e,e^′pp)n reaction were measured over a wide range of energy and three-momentum transfer. At a momentum transfer q=375 MeV/c, data were taken at transferred energies ω ranging from 170 to 290 MeV. At ω=220 MeV, measurements were performed at three q values (305, 375, and 445 MeV/c). The results are presented as a function of the neutron momentum in the final state, as a function of the energy and momentum transfer, and as a function of the relative momentum of the two-proton system. The data at neutron momenta below 100 MeV/c, obtained for two values of the momentum transfer at ω=220 MeV, are well described by the results of continuum-Faddeev calculations. These calculations indicate that the cross section in this domain is dominated by direct two-proton emission induced by a one-body hadronic current. Cross section distributions determined as a function of the relative momentum of the two protons are fairly well reproduced by continuum-Faddeev calculations based on various realistic nucleon-nucleon potential models. At higher neutron momentum and at higher energy transfer, deviations between data and calculations are observed that may be due to contributions of isobar currents.