Inelastic excitations and momentum distributions in kinematically complete breakup reactions of two-neutron halo nuclei

Abstract

A microscopic quantum-mechanical approach to breakup reactions into the low-energy continuum of Borromean two-neutron halo nuclei is developed, taking simultaneously into account Coulomb and nuclear dissociation. The importance of including both elastic and inelastic fragmentation is demonstrated for ${}^{6}\mathrm{He}$ breakup on C and Pb targets at intermediate energies, for kinematically complete experiments. Recent GSI experimental data are analyzed quantitatively and the results reveal a rich and complex interplay of reaction mechanisms and low-lying halo excitations.