Pi Zero Photoproduction From Complex Nuclei PDF Download

Production of single .pi./sup 0/ particles in neutrino reactions was studied in an experiment at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Alternating Gradient Synchrotron. The neutral current reactions, .nu.n .-->. .nu.n.pi./sup 0/ and .nu.p .-->. .nu.p.pi./sup 0/, and the charged current reaction, .nu.n .-->. .mu./sup -/p.pi./sup 0/, were investigated. The neutrino detector was made up of optical spark chambers and liquid and solid scintillation counters. The .pi./sup 0/ is detected by observing showers from its decay into two gamma rays. Muons are distinguished from other particles by their long range without interaction. Time of flight measurement is used to discriminate against neutron background. The neutral and charged current events are discussed, and the ratio of neutral current events to charged current events is found to be 0.149 +- 0.048 after corrections. Nuclear charge exchange corrections to this result because the detector contains complex nuclei are also discussed. Kinematic distributions for the final state particles and the p.pi./sup 0/ mass distribution are given. (auth).