Charge symmetry tested by comparison ofπ+andπ−elastic scattering from deuterium at 143 MeV

A sensitive test of nuclear charge symmetry has been made by comparing differential cross sections for ..pi../sup +/ and ..pi../sup -/ elastic scattering from deuterium at 143 MeV. Residual charge symmetry breaking effects in the cross section ratio have been parametrized in terms of mass and width differences among the components of the ..delta.. isobar. Accurate absolute ..pi../sup -/d differential cross sections were measured for the first time and ..pi../sup +/d differential cross sections agree well with other results and with three-body calculations.