We present a series of numerical and statistical techniques for interpolating and combining ("amalgamating") data from meson-nucleon scattering experiments. These techniques have been extensively applied to πp elastic and charge-exchange differential-cross-section and polarization data in the resonance region. The amalgamation is done by fitting a momentum- and angle-dependent interpolating surface to the data over a moderately narrow momentum range, typically ∼150 MeV/c, using the interpolating surface to shift data in a narrower central momentum region into fixed angular bins at a predetermined central momentum, and then statistically combining the data in each bin. The fitting procedure takes into account normalization errors, momentum calibration errors, momentum resolution, electromagnetic corrections, threshold structure, and inconsistencies among the data. The full covariance matrix of the amalgamated data is calculated, including contributions of statistical error, systematic error, and interpolation error. Techniques are presented for extracting from the covariance matrix information on the collective statistical fluctuations which correlate the errors of the amalgamated data. These fluctuations are described in terms of "correlation vectors" which facilitate the use of the amalgamated data as input for resonance-region phenomenology.
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Cross sections for pi+-p elastic scattering have been measured to high precision, for beam momenta between 800 and 1240 MeV/c, by the EPECUR Collaboration, using the ITEP proton synchrotron. The data precision allows comparisons of the existing partial-wave analyses (PWA) on a level not possible previously. These comparisons imply that updated PWA are required.
Differential cross section of elastic $\pi^+$p-scattering at P= 878.79 MeV/c. Errors shown are statistical only.
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