Inverse pion photoproduction in the vicinity of the P33(1232) resonance and a test of time-reversal invariance

Differential cross-section measurements are presented for π-p → γn at five energies around the P33(1232) resonance. A detailed comparison is made with γn → π-p deduced from γd experiments. In general, the results are in support of detailed balance. Using the Christ-Lee--Donnachie-Shaw model, our new data indicate that the T-violating phase in the isovector part of the M1+ multipole is less than 2degree, which is a very sensitive test of time-reversal invariance. No evidence is found for a possible isotensor component of the electromagnetic current. Our data are compared to various multipole analyses. In general, the agreement is poor