Tensor Analyzing Power inπdElastic Scattering

A tensor-polarized deuteron target has been employed for the first measurements of the tensor analyzing power $T_{20}$ in $\pi d$ elastic scattering. Data at six angles were measured at pion bombarding energies of 133.8 and 150.9 MeV. The results settle a long-standing controversy over conflicting measurements of the tensor polarization $t_{20}$, and dispute evidence for dibaryon resonances predicated on one of these $t_{20}$ measurements. The data are shown to be in reasonable agreement with recent Faddeev calculations which have reduced contributions from pion absorption.