We present a covariant optical model analysis of pion-nuclear elastic scattering at 1 GeV. Excellent agreement with experimental data is obtained without the introduction of any free parameters. Further, since we have calculated the scattering amplitudes from the pion-nucleus phase shifts, the application of our results is not limited to small angles. We stress that high-energy pion-nucleus elastic scattering can be regarded as an effective tool for investigation of nuclear properties. Some advantages over electron-nucleus and proton-nucleus scattering are discussed. The importance of using realistic matter distributions in the analysis of pion-nucleus scattering at high energies is emphasized.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS Covariant optical model analysis. Differential cross sections for pion scattering from ${}_{}{}^4{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{He}$, ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$, and ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ at 1.12 GeV.

• Received 10 May 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.14.1885