Towards a field theoretic understanding of NN → NNπ

We study the production amplitude for the reaction NN → NNπ up to next-to-leading order in chiral perturbation theory using a counting scheme that takes into account the large scale introduced by the initial momentum. In particular, we investigate a subtlety that arises once the leading loop contributions are convoluted with the NN wave functions as demanded by the non-perturbative nature of the NN interaction. We show how to properly identify the irreducible contribution of loop diagrams in such type of reaction. The net effect of the inclusion of all next-to-leading-order loops is to enhance the leading rescattering amplitude by a factor of 4/3, bringing its contribution to the cross-section for pp → dπ+ close to the experimental value.