Mass dependence of the momentum-transfer distributions in<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mi>π</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mo>+</mml:mo></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow><mml:mi>p</mml:mi><mml:mo>→</mml:mo><mml:mi>p</mml:mi><mml:mi/><mml:mn>8</mml:mn><mml:mi>π</mml:mi></mml:math>at 11.0 GeV/<i>c</i>

Abstract

Bubble-chamber data for the reaction ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p8\ensuremath{\pi}$ at 11.0 GeV/c have been analyzed from the standpoint of a new procedure which emphasizes the mass dependence of the momentum-transfer distribution. The technique shows a promise of resolving different types of production mechanisms. It is shown that analysis of the structure observed in these variables allows discrimination among some types of models for this extraordinarily complex reaction.