Scattering and Absorption of Scalar and Pseudoscalar Mesons by Nucleons

Cross sections have been calculated for scattering of pi-mesons by nucleons and for absorption of the charge of the meson in the scattering process. Computations are carried out to second order in $g^2$, using scalar and pseudoscalar fields with scalar and pseudoscalar coupling, respectively. It is found that there are strong qualitative differences in the cross sections depending upon field type and upon the type of mixture where neutral mesons are concerned.