A relativistic description of pi d scattering in the (3,3) resonance region

The authors discuss two alternative sets of relativistic (three- dimensional) scattering equations for the coupled ( pi d, N Delta ) systems-including spin and isospin. The equations are solved, and the results compared with experiments in the (3,3) resonance region. Except for the backward angle region at 256 MeV, the agreement with experiment is good. Specific relativistic effects are isolated, and their importance (for pi d as well as pi -nucleus scattering) assessed. (47 refs)