We have calculated the momentum distributions of the three fragments emitted in the breakup reaction ${(}^{11}$Li${,}^9$Li+n+n), induced by the Coulomb field from a heavy target, and made comparisons to recent three-body coincidence measurements. Our three-body model for ${}_{}{}^{11}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Li}$ provides a good description of the measured relative momentum distribution for the two emitted neutrons, and also for the single-neutron momentum distribution. The predicted distribution for the ${}_{}{}^9{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Li}$ recoil is much narrower than observed; a plausible explanation is presented.

• Received 1 February 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.48.326