Nuclear effects in Reactions νp -> μ^- p π^+ and νp -> μ^- Δ^{++}(1232) on Bound Protons

Abstract

For the first time, the nuclear effects in the reaction νp -> μ^- p π^+ on bound protons are investigated at E_ν= 9 GeV and the effective atomicweight A = 21 of the composite nuclear target using the data obtained with SKAT bubble chamber. The observed nuclear effects are explained by the Fermi-motion of the target proton and secondary elastic scattering of neutrinoproduced hadrons on intranuclear neutrons. The probability of any intranuclear interaction of neutrinoproduced hadrons is extracted: P_int = 0.40+-0.13, while the probability of interactions occurring only via elastic scattering on intranuclear neutrons is estimated to be P_c = 0.14+-0.05. A clear evidence of the Δ^{++}(1232) and an indication on the Δ^{++}(1620) isobar states production are observed with the mean yields, respectively, 0.57+-0.09 and 0.40+-0.26 (the latter being corrected for the p π^+ decay fraction). The mean yield of Δ^{++}(1232) is by 1.61+-0.25 times smaller than expected for the reaction on the hydrogen target, thus indicating on its rather strong nuclear absorption.

13 pages, 2 figures