The Monte Carlo simulation of the reaction π-p → K0 Λ in the PT55 experiment

A Monte Carlo simulation is described of an experiment in which the polarization and spin-rotation parameters for the reaction πp → K0 Λ off a polarized target was studied (the PT 55 experiment). Having examined the purpose of the simulation, the main techniques used in simulating the kinematics of the reaction are considered and the simulation of the apparatus is described. In discussing the more general aspects of the Monte Carlo program, the generation of pseudo-random numbers with suitable distribution functions is examined and some of the uses to which the program has already been put are given. There are three appendices giving the more technical details of kinematic transformations, the simulation of beam track measurement errors and the Gaussian distribution generator. (U.K.)