No Arabic abstract
We report a measurement of the spin-dependent total cross section ratios delta_sigma_T/sigma_tot and delta_sigma_L/sigma_tot of the pp --> pp pi^0 reaction between 325 MeV and 400 MeV. The experiment was carried out with a polarized internal target in a storage ring. Non-vertical beam polarization was obtained by the use of solenoidal spin rotators. Near threshold, the knowledge of both spin-dependent total cross sections is sufficient to deduce the strength of certain participating partial waves, free of any model.
The cross section for prompt neutral and charged three pion production in pp interactions was measured at excess energies in the range 160 - 217 MeV. That comprises the first measurement of the pp->pp pi0pi0pi0 reaction and the comparison with the pp->pp pi+pi-pi0 reaction, in a very direct way. The experiment was performed above the eta meson production threshold and the cross section normalization was obtained from a concurrent measurement of the reaction pp->pp eta with the eta decaying into 3 pions. Since the same final states are selected, the measurement has a low systematical error. The measured cross section ratio sigma(pp->pp pi+pi-pi0)/sigma(pp->pp pi0pi0pi0) is compared to predictions of dominance of different isobars in the intermediate state.
The total cross section for the pp to pp $pi^0$ reaction at energies close to threshold is calculated in a covariant one-boson-exchange model. The amplitudes for the elementary BN to N$pi^0$ processes are taken to be the sum of s, u and t pole terms. The main contributions to the primary productionamplitude is due to a sigma meson exchange. Both the scale and energy dependence of the cross section are perfectly reproduced.
First exclusive data for the $pp to nnpi^+pi^+$ reaction have been obtained at CELSIUS with the WASA detector setup at a beam energy of $T_p$ = 1.1 GeV. Total and differential cross sections disagree with theoretical calculations, which predict the $DeltaDelta$ excitation to be the dominant process at this beam energy. Instead the data require the excitation of a higher-lying $Delta$ state, most likely the $Delta(1600)$, to be the leading process.
Fully constrained bubble chamber data on the pp -> pi+ pn and pp -> pi+ d reactions are used to investigate the ratio of the counting rates for the two processes at low pn excitation energies. Whereas the ratio is in tolerable agreement with that found in a high resolution spectrometer experiment, the angular distribution in the final pn rest frame shows that the deviation from the predictions of final state interaction theory must originate primarily from higher partial waves in the pn system. These considerations might also be significant for the determination of the S-wave Lambda:p scattering length from data on the pp -> K+ Lambda p reaction.
The CELSIUS/WASA setup is used to measure the 3pi0 decay of eta mesons produced in pp interactions with beam kinetic energies of 1.36 and 1.45 GeV. The efficiency-corrected Dalitz plot and density distributions for this decay are shown, together with a fit of the quadratic slope parameter alpha yielding alpha = -0.026 +/- 0.010(stat) +/- 0.010(syst). This value is compared to recent experimental results and theoretical predictions.