z-Scaling and high-pT particle production in hadron-hadron and hadron-nucleus collisions at high energies

The general features of particle production in hadron-hadron and hadron-nucleus collisions at high energy and transverse momentum using the concept of z-scaling are reviewed. z-Presentation of experimental data on the inclusive cross sections obtained at ISR, SPS, and Tevatron is presented and its properties are discussed. It is argued that the properties reflect the fundamental symmetries such as self-similarity, locality, and fractality. z-Scaling is used to predict particle yields in hadron-hadron and hadron-nucleus collisions at RHIC and LHC energies. The violation of z-scaling is considered as a signature of new physics phenomena.