Anatomy of three-body decay I: schematic models

Abstract Sequential three-body decay proceeds via spatially confined quasi-stationary two-body configurations. Direct three-body decay populates the three-body continuum without intermediate steps. The relative importance of these decay modes is discussed in a schematic model employing only Coulomb or centrifugal barrier potentials. Decisive dimensionless charge, mass and energy ratios are derived. Sequential decay is usually favored for charged particles. Small charge and small mass of high energy is preferably emitted first. Without Coulomb potential the sequential decay is favored except when both resonance energy and intermediate two-body energy are large.