Pion and Eta Photoproduction in Nuclei

Abstract

We calculate the quasifree photoproduction of pions and eta mesons on nuclei from 12C to 208Pb. Assuming that for the quasifree process the cross sections for pi/eta - photoproduction on a nucleon in medium are -- besides a lowering due to Pauli blocking -- identical to those on a free nucleon, we use these as an input. The produced mesons or resonances then propagate through the nucleus where they can undergo several scattering and absorption processes. This final state interaction, which leads to a lowering of the initial meson yield up to 70%, we simulate in a coupled channel Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck transport model. It allows us to study in detail the influence of Fermi motion, Pauli blocking and of the additional decay channels for nucleon resonances in medium on the photoproduction cross section. The calculated total and differential cross sections are compared to experimental data and the influence of the different medium effects on the cross sections is discussed in detail.