Momentum correlations in the two‐proton decay of light nuclei

Momentum correlations in two‐proton and other multi‐body decays of light proton‐rich nuclei are discussed. The variety of such decays are illustrated by a number of examples. The measured correlations for the ground state of 6Be are found to be consistent with the cluster‐model calculations of Grigorenko et al. The ground state of 8C decays by two sequential steps of 3‐body (two‐proton) decay passing through the 6Beg.s. intermediate state. The isobaric analog of 8C in 8B undergoes two‐proton decay to the isobaric analog state in 6Li. To the extent that isospin is conserved, this is a Goldansky‐type decay, i.e. the isospin‐allowed immediate state in 7Be is energetically forbidden. An excited state in 10C is found to have a ∼50% four‐body‐decay branch where the protons have a strong diproton character.