Asymptotic expansions of multiplicity distributions in high-energy hadron collisions

Steepest-descent methods are used to derive asymptotic prong distributions from the assumed limiting behavior of the multiplicity moments. A short-range and a long-range correlation model are shown to be each in agreement with proton-proton data from P_lab=50 to 305 GeV/c, and to be well approximated by their asymptotic forms at the highest energy. Quantitative predictions are given which may distinguish between them in experiments at the CERN Intersecting Storage Rings.