Inclusive π0 and η production in the all neutral mode from 100 GeV/cπ−p collisions

Results are givenfor π⁰ and η production in 100 GeV/cπ^?p collisions, summed over all final states with no charged particles present (the all neutral final states). The data are fitted for x?0.6 to a modification of triple Regge theory suggested by the multiperipheral model. We find good agreement between the values of the ? and A₂ trajectories determined in the all neutral process, the full inclusive mode, π^?p → (π⁰, η)X, and the exclusive reactions, π^?p → (π⁰, η)n. The ? exchange residue function shows evidence for a dip at t ≈ ?0.5 (GeV/c)² (the ? wrong signature nonsense zero), whereas the η data are quite smooth in this region. These successful predictions for both the trajectory and residue function are striking evidence for the validity of triple Regge theory.