Pion production at low energies

Intense muon beams are needed both for neutrino oscillation experiments of a new generation and for muon colliders. A detailed knowledge of pion production processes in proton-nucleus collisions is important for the optimization of the pion collection. Comparison of particle generations at low proton kinetic energy (2 GeV) using different codes on a thin target are presented. The physical considerations underlying the models are also discussed. Results from simulations of a thick Hg-target will be given and some conclusions for the construction of a pion collector are shown