Resonant formation of pionic atoms with neutron collisions

We study the {ital n}+{ital A}{r arrow}({ital A}{prime}{pi}{sub {ital b}}{sup {minus}}){r arrow}{ital n}+{ital A} reaction, or resonant formation of pionic atoms, with neutron scattering. We evaluate the contribution of the interference of this reaction channel in {sup 40}Ca and {sup 208}Pb to the elastic scattering amplitude at backward angles. The ratio of signal to the background at 80{degree} is about 10{sup {minus}3}, and we estimate that the ratio does not improve at higher angles, hence making this reaction impractical. Our findings have repercussions on a similar reaction now running at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility.