Coincidence 16O(e,e′x) reactions with polarized electrons at low momentum transfer in self–consistent random–phase approximation theory

Coincidence (e16,ex) reactions with polarized electrons have been investigated in the one-photon-exchange formalism. Electromagnetic transition amplitudes are decomposed into multipoles. The nuclear energy continuum is obtained in the framework of a self-consistent random-phase approximation theory with a Skyrme III interaction. We focus our attention on the electron kinematics i=130 MeV, =50°, and on the nuclear excitation energies =21 and 35 MeV. The polarization structure functions WLT are discussed in parallel with angular distributions and asymmetries for the two hole states: 1p1/2-1 and 1p3/2-1. At 21 MeV we explore the properties of giant multipole resonances, whereas at 35 MeV, we show theoretical predictions for the competing knockout and semidirect reaction mechanisms. The neutron yield predicted in (e16,en) reactions is connected with the presence of random-phase approximation correlations in the nuclear energy continuum. Comparison is made between random-phase-approximationSkyrme-III results and Novosibirsk experimental data.