Measurement of small-angle elastic scattering of pions and protons by nuclei

Abstract

Targets made of C, Al, Cu, Pb, and U were exposed to ${\pi }^{+}$, ${\pi }^{-}$, and proton beams of 9.92 and 19.85 GeV/c (for $p$-Pb only) at the Brookhaven AGS. A magnetic spectrometer with spark chambers was used to detect elastically scattered particles in the Coulomb-nuclear interference region (5-35 mrad). Differential cross sections are presented and compared with an optical model, taking full account of multiple scattering in the target.