Elastic scattering data was successfully taken using the new "Clamshell" spectrometer. Angular distributions of elastic differential cross sections were obtained at 50 MeV and 65 MeV using positive and negative pions scattered from ⁵⁶Ni, ⁶⁰Ni, and ⁶⁴Ni. The data were compared to predictions made using the MSU optical potential, The π⁺ data agreed fairly well with the predictions at both 50 MeV and 65 MeV while the corresponding π⁻ data significantly disagreed with the predictions. The absorption parameters in the MSU potential were varied in an attempt to fit the data. A suitable fit was achieved for both π⁺ and π⁻ data at 50 MeV and 65 MeV. The real part of the p-wave absorption parameter was well determined but showed two distinct values for π⁺ and π⁻ indicating that there is a separate potential for π⁺ and π⁻ or that the absorption part of the potential is inadequately formulated. / Ph. D.

In this thesis, the current vs. magnetic field relationships for four magnets, M1, M2, M3, and Hyperon of FNAL Experiment E781 (the charm baryon study) havel,een studied on the basis of algorithms involving sign corrections pertaining to remedying incorrect FNAL EPICURE readout system's current and magnetic field values for E78 I's 4 magnets.After analyzing previous BSU personnel's work involving re-averaging of the current and magnetic field output values for E78 1, further research was carried out in this thesis activity regarding the correction of the algebraic signs of certain current and magnetic field values in the FNAL EPICURE read out values inputted into E781' data bank.Firstly, a code was developed to merge the four files of current and magnetic fields for the four magnets of E78 1, all into one file. Then, an algorithm for a sign correction program was developed in order to both sort the merged data and correct the current and magnetic field signautomatically.In order to obtain a better understanding of the effect of the incorrect sign for a magnet's current and magnetic field on analysis results, a statistical result was summarized. Finally, some conclusions were obtained. / Department of Physics and Astronomy