Resolution of theπNHelicity-Conservation Question from Polarization Data Alone

Abstract

We make a definitive test which distinguishes $s-$ from $t$-channel helicity conservation in $\pi N$ scattering. A quantitative measure of the $I_t=0\mathrm{}$ helicity-flip amplitude is proposed and evaluated using only polarization data. The violation of $s$-channel helicity conservation is found to die away with a ${\left(P_{\mathrm{lab}}\right)}^{-2}$ energy dependence in the range 2 to 11 GeV.