Coherent Photoproduction of Pions on Spin-Zero Nuclei in a relativistic, non-local Model

A relativistic and non-local model for the coherent photoproduction of pions on spin-zero nuclei is presented. The production operator is derived from an effective Lagrangian model that contains all the degrees of freedom known to contribute to the elementary process. Using the framework of DWIA, the matrix elements of this operator are evaluated using relativistic bound state wave functions. Final state interactions are accounted for via a pion-nucleus optical potential. The effects of in-medium modifications of the production operator are discussed. We give results for $^{12}C$ and $^{40}Ca$, and compare our calculations to the data of the A2 collaboration at MAMI.