Analyzing power measurements in pion deuteron absorption at low energies

As part of an experimental study of the [pi][ital NN] system, the pion absorption reaction, [pi][sup +][ital [rvec d]][r arrow][ital pp], is investigated at low energy. Angular distributions of the vector analyzing power, [ital iT][sub 11], are presented for six complementary angle pair coincidences at 65 MeV and five pairs at 25 MeV. There is good agreement with previous measurements, and a significant improvement in uncertainties has been achieved. Results are compared with theoretical predictions based on three different approaches. The best agreement is with a relativistic Faddeev calculation by the Lyon group. Calculations based on the partial wave solutions of Arndt [ital et] [ital al]. are compared with the data at both energies.