Multiplicity distribution inK + Al andK + Au collisions at 250 GeV/c and a test of the multiple collision model

Multiplicity distributions, observed inK ⁺ interactions with Al and Au nuclei at 250 GeV/c incident momentum are presented. They are analyzed in the framework of multiple collisions of the incident particle inside a nucleus. The probability distribution of the number of grey tracks is well described by the model of Andersson et al., if a negative binomial distribution is assumed for the distribution of the number of grey protons produced per elementary collision instead of the usual geometrical distribution. The analysis of the average and dispersion of the charge multiplicity distribution supports the validity of the multiple collision model, including results on correlations between forward and backward multiplicities.     

Fast proton production inπ ± Ne at 30 GeV/c

An isospin subtraction technique is used to derive distributions for π^± Ne→pX with an incident π momentum of 30 GeV/c, using precision bubble chamber measurements. Although final-state protons can only be identified by conventional techniques, i.e. ionization, forp _p ≦1 GeV/c, this technique allows us to statistically derive inclusive distributions for protons above 1 GeV/c. Combining these distributions with the identified proton distributions, the total inclusive proton distributions are compared with previously reported results at 10 GeV/c. The 10 and 30 GeV/c distributions are essentially identical, despite a factor of 1.7 increase inE ^CM between the two systems.     

Event-by-event fluctuations of the Kaon-to-Pion ratio in central Pb+Pb collisions at 158 GeV per nucleon

We present the first measurement of fluctuations from event to event in the production of strange particles in collisions of heavy nuclei. The ratio of charged kaons to charged pions is determined for individual central Pb+Pb collisions. After accounting for the fluctuations due to detector resolution and finite number statistics we derive an upper limit on genuine nonstatistical fluctuations, which could be related to a first- or second-order QCD phase transition. Such fluctuations are shown to be very small.     

Study of the energy flow in sulphur-and oxygen-nucleus collisions at 60 and 200 GeV/nucleon

Data on multiplicities of charged particles produced in proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions at 200 GeV per nucleon are presented. It is shown that the mean multiplicity of negative particles is proportional to the mean number of nucleons participating in the collision both for nucleus-nucleus and proton-nucleus collisions. The apparent consistency of pion multiplicity data with the assumption of an incoherent superposition of nucleon-nucleon collisions is critically discussed.     

Negative binomials and multiplicity distributions in 250 GeV/cK + and π+ interactions on Al and Au nuclei

The negative binomial distribution (NBD) is fitted to all charged and to negative particle multiplicity distributions in restricted rapidity intervals, both in the forward and backward c.m. hemispheres of positive meson interactions on Al and Au nuclei. For negative particle multiplicity distributions, the NBD parameters are also determined as a function ofn _g, the number of grey tracks, corresponding to varying number of intranuclear collisions. The data are interpreted in terms of the clan picture of Giovannini and Van Hove and compared to the MCMHA and Fritiof models. Both models reproduce quite well the global multiplicity distributions, but not when sub-samples are considered with fixed number of grey tracks. Regularities are better visible on the parton than on the particle level.     

A study of four- and six-body reactions in π+ andK + p interactions at 250 GeV/c

Data on the reactions (K ⁺/π⁺)p→(K ⁺/π⁺)pπ⁺π^- and (K ⁺/π⁺)p→(K ⁺/π⁺)p2π⁺2π^-, obtained with the European Hybrid Spectrometer, are presented and compared with data at lower energies. The contribution of beam and target diffractive dissociation and double Pomeron exchange, and porperties of these reactions are discussed.     

Hadron production in π+ and π− neon interactions at 30 and 64 GeV/c

We report new results on charge multiplicities fromπ ⁺ Ne andπ ^- Ne interactions at 30 and 64 GeV/c. The average number of fast protons is extracted and found to be essentially independent of the number of identified slow protons.