Proton-induced deuteron knockout reaction as a probe of an isoscalar proton-neutron pair in nuclei

Background: The isoscalar $pn$ pair is expected to emerge in nuclei having the similar proton and neutron numbers but there is no clear experimental evidence for it. Purpose: We aim to clarify the correspondence between the $pn$ pairing strength in many-body calculation and the triple differential cross section (TDX) of proton-induced deuteron knockout ($p,pd$) reaction on $^{16}$O. Methods: The radial wave function of the isoscalar $pn$ pair with respect to the center of $^{16}$O is calculated with the energy density functional (EDF) approach and is implemented in the distorted wave impulse approximation (DWIA) framework. The $pn$ pairing strength $V_0$ in the EDF calculation is varied and the corresponding change in the TDX is investigated. Results: A clear $V_0$ dependence of the TDX is found for the $^{16}$O($p,pd$)$^{14}$N($1_2^+$) at $101.3$~MeV. The nuclear distortion is found to make the $V_0$ dependence stronger. Conclusions: Because of the clear $V_0$-TDX correspondence, the ($p,pd$) reaction will be a promising probe for the isoscalar $pn$ pair in nuclei. For quantitative discussion, further modification of the description of the reaction process will be necessary.