Correlation between backward πd elastic scattering and deuteron form factor

We show the great sensitivity of the πd elastic-scattering observables to the details of the deuteron wave function. At 142 MeV and 256 MeV we find that the differential cross-section at θc.m.=180° depends linearly upon the quantityA(q2), which is the most important part of the deuteron electromagnetic form factor. A similar behaviour appears for the tensor polarizationt20(180°) at 142 MeV. Our results are compared with existing experimental data at backward angles.