We apply the multiple scattering method to calculate the differential cross sections for elastic $\pi d$ scattering in the low and medium energy regions, showing the importance of the proper treatment of the kinematics in the two body collision. Our results are compared with all existing experimental data in these energy regions. We show that the large angle elastic scattering at medium energies is highly sensitive to details of the deuteron structure and of the calculation procedure, and provides an excellent ground to study the properties of the meson-deuteron and of the off-shell meson-nucleon interactions.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS Pion deuteron elastic scattering. Multiple scattering calculation; Fermi motion, kinematical ambiguities, and off-energy-shell effects. Evaluation of $\frac{d\sigma }{d\Omega }$, low and intermediate energies.

• Received 15 November 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.16.2353