NN→NNπ reaction near threshold in a covariant one-boson-exchange model

We calculate the cross sections for the p(p,n pi(+))p and p(p,p pi(0))p reactions for proton beam energies near threshold in a covariant one-boson-exchange model, which incorporates the exchange of pi, rho, sigma and omega mesons, treats both nucleon and delta isobar as intermediate states. The final state interaction effects are included within the Watson's theory. Within this model the omega and sigma meson exchange terms contribute significantly at these energies, which, along with other meson exchanges, make it possible to reproduce the available experimental data for the total as well as differential cross sections for both the reactions. The cross sections at beam energies less than or equal to 300 MeV are found to be almost free from the contributions of the Delta isobar excitation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.