Variational Calculation of Three-Body Breakup Amplitudes

Abstract

A previously reported variational principle is used to compute three-body elastic and breakup scattering amplitudes for positive total energies. The calculation converges quite rapidly and requires very little computer time. The forms of the variational principle suitable for systems where some of the particles are identical bosons are also derived. The examples presented are for Yamaguchi potentials and do not represent any physical system; they were chosen to have large breakup cross sections. The results are presented as Dalitz plots and other graphs which exhibit some interesting features.