The Proton-Deuteron Break-Up Process in a Three-Dimensional Approach

The pd break-up amplitude in the Faddeev scheme is calculated by employing a three-dimensional method without partial wave decomposition (PWD). In a first step and in view of higher energies only the leading term is evaluated and this for the process d(p,n)pp. A comparison with the results based on PWD reveals discrepancies in the cross section around 200 MeV. This indicates the onset of a limitation of the partial wave scheme. Also, around 200 MeV relativistic effects are clearly visible and the use of relativistic kinematics shifts the cross section peak to where the experimental peak is located. The theoretical peak height, however, is wrong and calls first of all for the inclusion of rescattering terms, which are shown to be important in a nonrelativistic full Faddeev calculation in PWD.