Measurement of total cross sections for π0 photoproduction on nuclei in the Δ-resonance region☆

Abstract Total cross sections for π 0 photoproduction on Be, C, Al, Cu, Sn and Pb have been measured in the photon energy range k = 220–450 MeV using the tagged photon beam of the Bonn 500 MeV synchrotron. The data show a broad maximum around k = 350 MeV. The A -dependence can be described by σ A ∝ A 0.66 . The results are compared to charged pion production and to total hadronic cross sections.