Search for Evidence of aΔ(1236)−Δ(1236)Component of the Deuteron

Evidence for a bound ${\Delta }_{33}\mathrm{}\left(1236\right)-{\Delta }_{33}\mathrm{}\left(1236\right)\mathrm{}$ component of the deuteron is sought by using ${\pi }^{+}$, ${\pi }^{-}$, and $K^{+}$ mesons as probes of nuclear structure. Events are observed which might contain $\Delta \mathrm{}\left(1236\right)\mathrm{}$ "spectators" in the breakup of a deuteron in a $\Delta \Delta$ state. However, other mechanisms may contribute to the signal, and we cannot unambiguously ascribe our events to a $\Delta \Delta$ contribution in the deuteron. With certain assumptions we obtain an upper limit of ∼0.7% for the $\Delta \Delta$ component of the deuteron.