Vector Mesons and Nuclear Optics

Abstract

The implications of vector dominance for the optical properties of complex nuclei are examined. Particular attention is paid to the transition from the low-energy regime where the nucleus acts as a transparent object to the high-energy regime where the photonuclear cross sections have some of the characteristics of shadow scattering. This transition occurs in the energy range available to existing accelerators. The energy dependence of total photoabsorption and inelastic cross sections are calculated and found to be appreciable; they are therefore amenable to experimental study.