Correlation between backward πd elastic scattering and deuteron form factor

The great sensitivity of the πd elastic-scattering observables to the details of the deuteron wave function is shown. At 142 MeV and 256 MeV it has been found that the differential cross-section at THETAsub(c.m.) = 1800 depends linearly upon the quantity A(q2), which is the most important part of the deuteron electromagnetic form factor. A similar behaviour appears for the tensor polarization t20(1800) at 142 MeV. These results are compared with existing experimental data at backward angles. (author)