Investigation of π+Ne and π-Ne interactions at 10.5 GeV/c

Detailed studies of π+Ne and π-Ne interactions at 10.5 GeV/c were carried out. Multiplicities, correlations, and inclusive momentum and rapidity spectra for π+, π-, π0, and p are reported. Average multiplicities for K0 and Λ0 production are also determined. Comparisons are made to results from πp interactions. Relative to πp collisions, pion production is enhanced in the target fragmentation region but not in the central or projectile fragmentation regions. Many of the pion production properties can be understood in terms of a simple kinematical model in which the effective target mass is greater than a nucleon mass. A surprising number of energetic protons are observed (laboratory momentum greater than or approximately equal to 1.3 GeV/c). For shower-track multiplicities approximately 8, the produced nucleons are found to carry away an average of 40% of the incident momentum, indicating the possible existence of previously unrecognized mechanisms for the efficient momentum transfer to nucleons in particle-nucleus collisions