INVESTIGATION OF THE n + p $Yields$ $pi$$sup 0$ + d REACTION FOR 660 Mev EFFECTIVE ENERGY NEUTRONS AND THE HYPOTHESIS OF CHARGE INDEPENDENCE

The angular distribution and total cross section for production of pi / sup o-/mesons in the n + p -- pi /sup o/ + d reaction was investigated for 660 Mev neutrons. An arrangement is employed which permits the recording of coincidences between one of the quanta of a decaying pi /sup o/ meson and the deuteron. Gamma quanta were recorded with a scintillation counter telescope containing a lead convertor. The deuterons were analyzed with a multi-channel magneitc spectrometer. The angular distribution thus obtained (0.220 plus or minus 0.022) + cos/sup 2/ theta (in the cms) and the total cross section for the reaction (1.5 plus or minus 0.3) x 10confirm the validity of the charge independence hypothesis. (tr-auth)