A method for measuring total cross sections of (γ, π−) reactions at threshold

Abstract A new method for detecting low energy negative pions has been investigated. The negative pions are identified via monoenergetic neutrons produced in the reaction π − + D → 2 n and detected by means of a time of flight spectrometer. The feasibility for measuring D ( γ , π − ) cross sections near threshold is demonstrated; an extension to heavier nuclei seems to be possible. Futher the method is well suited for applications together with tagged photon beams.