Deuteron fragmentation d+p→p+X at relativistic energies and the role of particle production processes

A modified phase-space model for the description of inelastic hadronic and nuclear reactions is proposed. The probability of observing a definite final channel is assumed to be proportional to the corresponding phase-space factor modified by a transition matrix element that is based on statistics, thermodynamics, and the quark picture of hadrons. We apply the model to proton-proton reactions up to 12 GeV/c as well as deuteron fragmentation d+p→p+X up to 9 GeV/c and achieve good overall agreement with experimental data. The Paris deuteron wave function is used to calculate the momentum distribution of the nucleons in the deuteron. Particle production processes turn out to be decisive for the reproduction of the proton spectra from dp interactions at 9 GeV/c. (orig.)