Study of the pion stopping rate at the proposed target position in Cave C of the SMC. Progress report to LAMPF

This report documents the experimental studies of the pion stopping rates in Cave C (East Leg) of the SMC. It is part of the feasibility study for a crystal spectrometer experiment investigating pionic atoms (Exp. 173). Earlier findings and calculations can be found in the reports to LAMPF CALT-63-230 (March 1975), CALT-63-228 (May 1975), CALT-63-269 (August 1976) and CALT-63-278 (December 1976). Recently, the removal of the bending magnet BM phi 3 was recommended, and a report is given on tests of this channel configuration. The proton current was 260 nA. The tests were performed at two different proton energies, 650 and 800 MeV. The results are summarized in section B of this report. Section C gives the conclusion of the feasibility study