Two-nucleon momentum distributions measured in 3He(e,e′pp)n -: art. no. 052303

We have measured the He-3(e,e'pp)n reaction at 2.2 GeV over a wide kinematic range. The kinetic energy distribution for fast nucleons (p>250 MeV/c) peaks where two nucleons each have 20% or less, and the third nucleon has most of the transferred energy. These fast pp and pn pairs are back to back with little momentum along the three-momentum transfer, indicating that they are spectators. Calculations by Sargsian and by Laget also indicate that we have measured distorted two-nucleon momentum distributions by striking one nucleon and detecting the spectator correlated pair.