The absorption of positive pions on N and Ar has been studied for $T_{{\pi }^{+}}=118,$ 162, and 239 MeV. A precise determination has been made of the total absorption cross section for each energy and target nucleus. Comparisons are made with prior LADS results on ${}^2\mathrm{H},$ ${}^3\mathrm{He},$ and ${}^4\mathrm{He}.$ In addition, results are presented for the detected multiplicities of emitted protons, neutrons, and deuterons following pion absorption.

• Received 14 May 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.60.054610