Analysis of leading proton spectrum in high energy proton-nucleus collisions

Leading proton spectrum in high energy proton-nucleus collisions is analyzed on the basis of the intranuclear cascade model. The model includes the possibility of low attenuation of leading proton in the nuclear matter at high energies. Experimental data at 24 GeV/c with Be, Al, Cu and Pb targets are consistent with the conventional cascade model. It is difficult, however, to understand p-Be data at 200 GeV/c in terms of this conventional model. On the assumption that the particles entering into the nucleus interact with the nucleons only within one mean free path on the average and that they become inactive through the nucleus, the theoretical results come to be more consistent with the data than the case of the conventional model. (author)