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

Cross sections for the 3 He(e,e8 pp )n reaction were measured over a wide range of energy and threemomentum transfer. At a momentum transfer q5375 MeV/c, data were taken at transferred energies v ranging from 170 to 290 MeV. At v5220 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 v5220 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 nucleonnucleon 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.