pd and π+ d collisions at 100 GeV/c

From an exposure of the 30-inch deuterium bubble chamber at Fermilab we examine 7600 events with >= 3 charged prongs. Multiplicity distributions for π+n, pn, and pd collisions are presented and are in general agreement with those expected based on knowledge of π-p and pp collisions at the same energy. The pd distribution is slightly wider than expected from a combination of free pp and pn collisions, and we estimate from this that the fraction of double inelastic collisions is about 15% of the inelastic break-up collisions both nucleons participate. We find no significant N-dependence in the double interaction effects so that the odd-prong multiplicities we present should correspond closely to free pn and π+n collisions. An interpretation of these results is suggested. (author)