(α,He3) breakup reaction on nuclei and the neutron momentum distribution in theαparticle

The ($\alpha$,${}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{He}$) breakup reaction on ${}_{}{}^{62}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Hi}$ and ${}_{}{}^{209}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Bi}$ targets at incident $\alpha$-particle energies of 172.5 and 140 MeV respectively has been studied by a plane-wave spectator model. The results have been compared with the Serber model calculations as well as with those of the distorted-wave Born approximation. It is found that plane wave methods are not appropriate to describe this reaction correctly. Apart from the distortions in the $\alpha$ and ${}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{He}$ channels, the proper consideration of the neutron target interaction is also very important. The validity of some of the assumptions of the Serber model has also been investigated. It is found that these assumptions are not valid for the reactions under investigation and consequently some of the conclusions drawn previously from the Serber model calculations for this reaction are not justified.