An experimental investigation of the photoproduction of pi+ mesons from hydrogen near threshold

Gabathuler, Erwin (1962) An experimental investigation of the photoproduction of pi+ mesons from hydrogen near threshold. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis describes the experimental work carried out by the author from 1953 to 1931 on the investigation of the photoproduction of pi+ mesons from hydrogen near threshold. The research was motivated by the lack of experimental measurements in the low energy region verifying the predicted threshold energy dependence given by Dispersion Relations and the violation in the well known connection between the low energy pion interactions. Chapter I provides a summary of the theoretical attempts to describe the photoproduction of pions from hydrogen and gives a detailed study of the field of low energy plon photoproduction. Chapter II is a review of previous experimental methods and results in the field of low energy plon photoproduction, and illustrates the necessity of an accurate set of experimental results in the low energy region. Chapter III describes the construction of a specially designed, pressure compensated thin-walled liquid hydrogen target, for the detection of low energy pions. The construction and operation of the target and the compensator design was carried out by the author. The initial design or the target was carried out in collaboration with Dr. W. Hogg. Chapter IV describes two methods of detecting mesons, one by a time of flight method and the other by a delayed coincidence technique. The construction and testing of the time of flight telescope were carried out by the author and the experiment was performed In collaboration with Drs. G.H. Lewis and H.E. Asuma. Preliminary tests on the delayed coincidence technique previously developed by Drs. G.Z. Lewis and R.E. Azuma were carried out by the author using a thin polythene target. Chapter V contains a description of the threshold meson experiment which provides the most accurate Information showing the non-linear threshold energy dependence of the cross-section. The author was responsible for the operation of the liquid hydrogen target during the complete experiment which was of three weeks duration, while the operation, monitoring and collection of the experimental data was shared with Drs. G.H. Lewis. R.S. Asuraa and Dr D. Leith. The analysis of the results have been evaluated independently by the author. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the present state of the knowledge in the field of low energy pion physios.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: R E Asuma
• Keywords: Atomic physics
• Date of Award: 1962
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1962-73586
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73586