Analyzing powers were measured and used to quantify the observation that s -wave processes dominate near threshold. Values of A y ( θ π , φ π =0°) are presented for η values of 0.22, 0.42 and 0.50. Maximum analyzing powers A N 0 are equal to −0.13, −0.24, and −0.28, respectively. A partial wave analysis, made possible by the new analyzing powers and available cross sections, indicates that the s -wave contribution to the cross section constitutes about 91% of the total cross section at η =0.22, or 300 MeV. It decreases to about 75% for η =0.5.
Polarized beam.