The effective-energy dependence of the charged particle's multiplicity in p/π+/K+ interactions on protons at 147 GeV/c

The energy dependence of the average of the charged multiplicity and its dispersion in π+/K+/p interactions on protons at 147 GeV/c is found to be the same as in e+e- annihilations if an 'effective energy' variable is used instead of the total energy. The effective energy √Ssub(eff) is defined as the invariant mass of all secondaries left after the two leading particles have been removed. Fitting the expression αSsup(b)sub(eff) to the average charge multiplicity , we find the power b to be in good agreement with the value of 0.25 predicted by Fermi's statistical model and by Landau's hydrodynamical model. (orig.)