Pion-transfer (n, d) and (d, He) reactions leading to deeply bound pionic atoms

Theoretical studies are given on the (n, d) and (d, ³He) reactions leading to deeply bound pionic atoms in heavy nuclei of configuration (nl)_π·j_n⁻¹]J. The cross sections for various pionic and neutron-hole configurations in the case of a ²⁰⁸Pb target are calculated at incident energies 300–1000 MeV/u by using the effective number approach and the eikonal approximation for distortion. The effective number with a pion in the 1s or 2p state and a neutron hole in the orbit peaks around the same incident energy (T_n = 600 MeV) as the elementary cross section n+n→d+π⁻, where the momentum transfer matches the angular-momentum transfer of L = 5–7. The DWIA cross section for (n,d) producing a pion in the 1s or 2p orbit at T_n = 600 MeV is found to be around 42 or 75 μb/sr, respectively. At T_n = 350 MeV, where the momentum transfer is small, quasi-substitutional states of configurations and are preferentially populated with (n, d) cross sections of 95 and 190 μb/sr, respectively. The (d, ³He) cross sections are estimated to be an order of magnitude smaller than the (n, d) cross sections. Thus, the (n, d) and (d, ³He) reactions are found to be suited for the production of deeply bound pionic atoms.