Relativistic study of the reaction pp → dπ: Formalism and comparison with experiment at Tp = 578 MeV

A detailed relativistic calculation of pp → πd is presented. The leading graph is the exchange of a nucleon and a pion. The πN amplitudes, including off-shell information, are input, together with relativistic dpn and πNN vertex functions. The dominant nucleon spectator term is calculated without uncontrolled approximations, and the relativistic pion antiparticle contribution is evaluated. The single nucleon exchange diagram is added. Higher order rescattering is treated by initial and final state distortion factors. All amplitudes and spin observables are calculated and a detailed comparison with the measured data at 578 MeV is made. The remaining observed discrepancies are traced to the pp spin-triplet waves.