Inclusive and semi-inclusive ?0 production in π?p interactions at 15 GeV/c

We have done an inclusive study of ?⁰ production in π^?p interactions at 15 GeV/c. Evidence for two different production mechanisms, in addition to the known quasi two-body processes, is presented: production of ?⁰'s in the central region of rapidity similar to the “pionization” region seen in the inclusive studies of pions; and forward production in the beam dissociation region of rapidity. Cross sections and rapidity distributions for the ?⁰ are given inclusively and by topology, and the results are compared with similar studies at other energies and with other incident particles. Results are also presented for the semi-inclusive reaction π^?p → p?⁰ + X^? and the exclusive final state pπ^??⁰.