A Monte Carlo Calculation of the Pionium Break-up Probability with Different Sets of Pionium Target Cross Sections

Details A Monte Carlo Calculation of the Pionium Break-up Probability with Different Sets of Pionium Target Cross Sections A Monte Carlo Calculation of the Pionium Break-up Probability with Different Sets of Pionium Target Cross Sections

2003-06-23

arxiv.org/abs/physics/0306161v1

J.Phys.B.At.Mol.Opt.Phys. 36 (2003) 4273-4287

Physics

Atomic Physics

Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics; (submited; 17 pages, 6 figures, 18 references)

Scientific paper

10.1088/0953-4075/36/21/007

Chiral Perturbation Theory predicts the lifetime of pionium, a hydrogen-like $\pi^+ \pi^-$ atom, to better than 3% precision. The goal of the DIRAC experiment at CERN is to obtain and check this value experimentally by measuring the break-up probability of pionium in a target. In order to accurately measure the lifetime one needs to know the relationship between the break-up probability and lifetime to a 1% accuracy. We have obtained this dependence by modeling the evolution of pionic atoms in the target using Monte Carlo methods. The model relies on the computation of the pionium--target atom interaction cross sections. Three different sets of pionium--target cross sections with varying degrees of complexity were used: from the simplest first order Born approximation involving only the electrostatic interaction to a more advanced approach taking into account multi-photon exchanges and relativistic effects. We conclude that in order to obtain the pionium lifetime to 1% accuracy from the break-up probability, the pionium--target cross sections must be known with the same accuracy for the low excited bound states of the pionic atom. This result has been achieved, for low $Z$ targets, with the two most precise cross section sets. For large $Z$ targets only the set accounting for multiphoton exchange satisfies the condition.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A Monte Carlo Calculation of the Pionium Break-up Probability with Different Sets of Pionium Target Cross Sections does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A Monte Carlo Calculation of the Pionium Break-up Probability with Different Sets of Pionium Target Cross Sections, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Monte Carlo Calculation of the Pionium Break-up Probability with Different Sets of Pionium Target Cross Sections will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-513824