Measurement of vector-tensor spin-transfer observables for the reaction H((p)over-right-arrow,(d)over-right-arrow)pi(+) between 580 and 1300 MeV

The three polarization tensor components of the deuteron produced in the H( (p) over right arrow,(d) over right arrow) pi(+) reaction have been measure d for the first time. The experiment was performed using a vertically polar ized proton beam produced by the SATURNE accelerator. The deuteron polariza tion was measured with the POLDER polarimeter. The three polarizing powers t(20)(00), t(21) (00) and t(22) (00) and the three spin-transfer observable s t(20)(11), t(21)(11) and t(22)(11) have been extracted at a proton kineti c energy of 580 MeV over a wide angular range and at two fixed center-of-ma ss angles, 132 degrees and 151 degrees, between 800 and 1300 MeV. The six o bservables, calculated in the C.M. helicity frame, have been compared with predictions of the most refined partial-wave analyses and also with the pre dictions of a theoretical coupled-channel model which includes the NN-N Del ta transition. The comparison between the data and the theory/partial-wave analyses shows some discrepancies which get worse with increasing proton en ergy. Adding these data to the world database should improve significantly future partial-wave analyses. The A(y0) analyzing power has also been measu red over the same kinematical range. The partial-wave analysis predictions are in good agreement with this observable. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.