Z-scaling in proton-nucleus collisions at high energies

New scaling, z-scaling, in the inclusive particle production in pA collisions is studied. The scaling function HA(z) is expressed via the inclusive cross section of particle production Ed3σ/dq3 and the particle multiplicity density dN/dη at pseudorapidity η=0 in the corresponding nucleon-nucleon (NN) center-of-mass (CMS) system. The dependence of HA(z) on scaling variable z, the center-of-mass energy √, and the detection angle θ is investigated. The available experimental data on inclusive particle production (π±, K±) in pA interactions at high energies are used to verify the universality of z-scaling found in hadron-hadron collisions. The A-dependence of HA(z) for π+-meson production is studied. It is shown that the experimental data >from pd collisions confirm the scaling properties of the function Hd(z). Some predictions for Hau(z) concerning production of π+-mesons in pAu interaction using the HIJING Monte Carlo code have been made. The obtained results can be of interest for future experiments at RHI and LHC in searching the signals of quark-gluon plasma formation