We have analysed the reaction π + p → pπ + π + π − at 16 GeV/c by means of the prism plot analysis (PPA) as proposed by Pless et al. We have separated ten reaction channels contributing to the final state pπ + π + π − and present the results in terms of partial and differential cross sections, invariant mass and decay angular distributions. We show that the PPA is a self-controlling method which is demonstrated by the emergence of a broad (3π) + enhancement around 1800 MeV decaying into ρ 0 π + .
PARTIAL CROSS SECTIONS FOR THE (P PI+ PI+ PI-) FINAL STATE.
Cross sections for resonance production in the reactions π ± p → p π ± π + π − at 16 GeV/ c are determined by a maximum likelihood fit, making use of the measurements of all individual events. The reactions are described by a simple parametrization based on an incoherent superposition of amplitudes for quasi two-body and quasi three-body processes and a non-resonant backgroud. In this way the reflections are accounted for in a consistent way. Thus cross sections are obtained for Δ ++ , Δ 0 , ρ 0 and f 0 production which do not suffer from the uncertainties of background subtraction typical of the usual technique of fitting individual mass distributions.
TWO PARTICLE RESONANCE CROSS SECTIONS.
CHANNEL FRACTIONS FROM THE FITS. THE AUTHORS WARN AGAINST DERIVING CROSS SECTIONS FOR THREE-PARTICLE RESONANCES.