Study on associative multiplicities in π-p interactions at 5 GeV/c

The results of an experimental study of associative multiple production in π-p interactions at 5 GeV/c are presented for approximately 2x104 events detected in a 1-meter hydrogen bubble chamber. The dependences of the associated particle multiplicity on the rapidity and the transverse momentum of discriminated π+-- mesons, and also on the square of the missing mass Msub(x)2 to discriminated proton and π- meson are studied. The results obtained are presented in the form of drawings. The experimental data are compared with the predictions of models. A satisfactory qualitative description based on the statistical model of excited states is obtained for the dependence of the multiplicity on the rapidity. The dependence of the multiplicity on Msub(x)2 is described satisfactorily according to predictions of the multiperipheral model and the model with the production of clusters of the type ''nova''. The results obtained indicate the possibility of the application of the associative multiplicities technique at relatively small energies