Backward production in π-p → pπ+π-π- at 8.0 GeV/c in a streamer chamber

A data sample is investigated consisting of 1227 events of the form π-p → pπ+π-π- where the final state proton is produced fast and forward in the laboratory system. The data sample was obtained using an 8.0 GeV/c pion beam and the University of Illinois-ANL streamer chamber. The dominant feature displayed in the data sample is the quasi-two body production of rho N* and fN* intermediate states. No evidence is found for backward A1 or A2 production, but a three standard deviation enhancement in the π+π-π- mass distribution is observed near 1900 MeV/c2. Cross section upper limits are obtained for backward A1 and A2 production. The rho N* and fN* intermediate states are investigated with regard to the peripheralism of the production mechanism and sequential decay of the meson and baryon systems. These processes appear to be consistent with the hypothesis of u-channel proton exchange as the dominant production mechanism. The possibility of enhancements in the pπ-π- and pπ+pi- final states is investigated. (Diss. Abstr. Int., B)