Charged and neutral pion production in the S-matrix approach

The S-matrix approach is used to calculate charged as well as neutral pion production reactions from NN scattering, with the same set of underlying processes and interactions. The chiral perturbation theory piN scattering amplitude is used. For the nucleon-nucleon distortions a newly developed realistic potential within the Bonn family of potentials, valid well above the pion production threshold, is considered. In the pi+ production case, the NN potential, the piN relative p-waves and the treatment of the exchanged pion energy build up the observed cross-section strength.