If one directed a 3 GeV electron beam at a target (say carbon) would pions be produced? If so, what percentage would be produced compared to bombarding the same target with a 3 GeV proton beam? In other words, how important is it that electrons do not interact via the strong nuclear force...
Thanks everyone, That is very helpful.
What about at lower energies? If I have a 3 GeV beam, would you expect the % of pi0 to increase or decrease compared to the 91 GeV case?
Thanks mfb.
How do you know this? Let's say we had a liquid hydrogen target (so all proton targets). So we have an incoming proton with energy E interacting with a stationary proton. There will be some impact parameter, p. Given E and p (well - I would be messing with Heisenberg - but...