Search for aΔ−ΔComponent in the Deuteron Wave Function UsingpdInteractions at 5.55 GeV/c

From a bubble-chamber experiment, we studied the $\overline{p}d\to p_s\overline{p}p{\pi }^{-}, p_s\overline{p}p{\pi }^{-}{\pi }^0, p_s\overline{n}p{\pi }^{-}{\pi }^{-}$ reactions at 5.55 GeV/c in order to see whether a $\Delta -\Delta$ component of the deuteron wave function can be observed in our data. This was achieved by searching for spectator $\Delta \to p_s\pi$ systems. We observed significant production of $\Delta \to p_s\pi$, a fraction of which is emitted in the backward laboratory hemisphere. The meaning of this high $\Delta \to p_s\pi$ production rate is discussed.