We present the results of a measurement of the cross section oof the reaction e + e − → π + π − π + π − from 890 to 1100 MeV in the center of mass, obtained with a magnetic detector at the Orsay Storage Ring ACO. With respect to previous experiments, the present one offers the possibility of reconstructing events with at least one constraint and his improved statistics. We find that our measurement of the cross section for e + e − → π + π − π + π − is compatible with quasi two-body production of π A 1 ( m A1 = 1.1 GeV, Γ A1 ∼ 0.2−0.3 GeV), through the ϱ and ϱ′(1600) intermediate states. We were able to states. We were able to determine the cross section of this reaction at the energy of the φ meson and consequently an upper limit on the branching ratio of φ → π + π − π + π − .
UPPER LIMIT FOR PHI --> 4PI.
The production of multipion events by e + e − annihilation has been measured at centre of mass energies 915,990 and 1076 MeV. Both channels e + e − → π + π − π o and e + e − → π + π − π + π − have been analysed. An energy threshold effect analysed. An energy threshold effect around 919 MeV ( m ω + m π o ) has been evidenced for the π + π − π o π o channel and the cross section is consistent with the quasi two-body process e + e − → ωπ o . The cross section for π + π − π + π − is lower by an order of magnitude and increases with the energy.
SYSTEMATIC ERROR INCLUDED. RADIATIVE EFFECT (<15 PCT) INCLUDED.
MULTIHADRON PRODUCTION CROSS SECTION DEDUCED AS SUM OF FOUR PION CHANNELS.
Data were taken at the energy 2 E = 990 MeV to search for multibody events, with the same large solid angle detector which has been used for the measurement of the ϱ , ω and φ production by e + e − annilations. Assuming a π + π − π 0 π 0 production by the quasi two-body process e + e − → ϱ → ωπ 0 we give the correspondi ng cross section σ (e + e − → π + π − π 0 π 0 ) = (1.1 ± 0.5) 10 −32 cm 2 . Since no events with 3 and 4 charged pions have been observed σ (e + e − → π + π − π 0 π − ) ⩽ 1.5 × 10 −33 cm 2 .
RATIO TO MUON PAIR PRODUCTION CALCULATED FROM CROSS SECTION. INCLUDING SYSTEMATIC ERRORS.