Probing three-nucleon-force effects via (p,2p) reactions

Abstract

We propose to use proton knockout reactions (p,2p) from a deeply bound orbit as a new probe into three-nucleon-force (3NF) effects. The remarkable advantage of using (p,2p) reaction is that we can choose an appropriate kinematical condition to probe the 3NF effects. We analyze (p,2p) reactions on a 40Ca target within the framework of distorted-wave impulse approximation with a g-matrix interaction based on chiral two- and three-nucleon forces. The chiral 3NF effects significantly change the peak height of the triple differential cross section of (p,2p) reaction. We also clarify the correspondence between the (p,2p) cross sections and the in- medium pp cross sections.