The statistical description of multihadron production processes

The statistical approach to multihadron production processes assumes that the relative probability for different inclusive final states is determined by the corresponding level densities. The proposed statistical descriptions can be divided into two classes: purely statistical models (Fermi model, Pomeranchuk model, uncorrelated jet model, statistical bootstrap model), and hybrid models, which combine non-statistical cluster formation with statistical cluster decay (two- and mutli-center models, thermodynamical model, nova and multinova models, diffraction fragmentation models. After a survey of the various models with comments on their interrelation, I discuss in particular asymptotic phase space behaviour, the solution of the statistical bootstrap equation, the dynamical interpretation of this solution in terms of resonance interactions, and the connection between the statistical bootstrap approach and aspects of the dual resonance model. (author)