Using a genetic algorithm to investigate two-nucleon knockout reactions

The use of genetic algorithms as tools in nuclear physics problems is highl ighted by examining the particular case of two-nucleon knockout reactions. The predictions of a factorized model of (e, e'pp) reactions are investigat ed by maximizing functions of the calculated cross sections within the phas e space, to establish kinematics where particular effects will occur most s trongly. In this first investigation we find that, contrary to received wis dom, the Gent factorized model predicts that the effect of short-range corr elations can be seen most clearly in kinematics which are not in a so-calle d super-parallel configuration. Variants and extensions of this method are likely to be of benefit to both theorists and experimentalists who have to cope with multidimensional problems.