Distinction between sequential and direct three-body decays

We discuss the three-body decay mechanisms of many-body resonances. Sequential decays proceed via two-body configurations after emission of the third particle. In direct decay all three particles leave simultaneously their interaction regions. The intermediate paths within the interaction regions are not observables and only accessible through models. The momentum distributions carry, apart from polarization, all possible information about decay modes and resonance structure. In this context we discuss detailed results for the decay of the $^{9}$Be($5/2^-$) resonance.