N*(1440) excitation in proton-nucleus reactions at high energies

The authors discuss p + A→p' + π + A' reactions on spin 0 isospin 0 targets at high energies in the frame work of relativistic theory. The authors analyse the characters of mechanism of the N*(1440) excitation in the projectile. Numerical results are shown for the reaction on 12C with the 2.5 GeV proton beam by using this mechanism. The effect of the nuclear distortion of the incoming and outgoing waves on the reaction is discussed. The feasibility and the significance of an experimental study of this reaction at CSR in Lanzhou is discussed. (author)