2H( 3He, t)2p reaction at 2 GeV

The exclusive 2H( 3He, t)2p reaction has been studied at 2 GeV for energy transfers up to 500 MeV and triton angles up to 3.4°. The protons were measured in the large acceptance magnetic detector DIOGENE, in coincidence with the forward tritons detected in a dedicated magnetic arm. The energy transfer spectra extend well above the pion threshold. However, in the region of Δ excitation, the yield is less than 10% of the inclusive 2H( 3He, t) cross-section, which indicates the small contribution of the ΔN ↦ NN process. The angular distributions of the two protons in their center of mass have been analysed as a function of energy transfer and triton angle and a Legendre polynomial decomposition has been achieved. These data have been compared to a model based on a coupled-channel approach for describing the NN and NΔ systems.