Distorted-wave impulse-approximation calculations for quasifree cluster knockout reactions

A formalism for distorted-wave impulse-approximation calculations of quasifree cluster knockout reactions is described. Results are presented for ($p, p\alpha$) and ($\alpha , 2\alpha$) reactions. In both cases distortion effects are large. It is concluded that incident energies between ∼ 100 and ∼ 200 MeV are most suitable for ($p, p\alpha$) studies of nuclear structure, whereas somewhat higher energies are more appropriate for ($\alpha , 2\alpha$) studies.