Measurement of π- and π + photoproduction in deuterium at large momentum transfer for E=1.7-5.6 GeV

Single-π- and -π+ photoproduction from deuterium has been measured at energies E=1.7-5.6 GeV and momentum transfers vertical stroke t vertical stroke =0.4-5.6 (GeV/c2). The ratio π-/ π+ for data taken at E=3.4 GeV is presented. Also the ratio of the π+ from hydrogen to the π+ from deuterium is extracted to examine the nucleon spectator assumption used in the cross-section ratio analysis. Results are discussed in conjunction with the existing measurements with frameworks ranging from a hadronic description to parton constituent models which successfully characterize the scaling behaviors observed in the exclusive measurements. (orig.)