Measurements of the double-differential $\pi^{\pm}$ production cross-section in the range of momentum $100 \MeVc \leq p < 800 \MeVc$ and angle $0.35 \rad \leq \theta < 2.15 \rad$ in proton--beryllium, proton--aluminium and proton--lead collisions are presented. The data were taken with the HARP detector in the T9 beam line of the CERN PS. The pions were produced by proton beams in a momentum range from 3 \GeVc to 12.9 \GeVc hitting a target with a thickness of 5% of a nuclear interaction length. The tracking and identification of the produced particles was performed using a small-radius cylindrical time projection chamber (TPC) placed inside a solenoidal magnet. Incident particles were identified by an elaborate system of beam detectors. Results are obtained for the double-differential cross-sections at six incident proton beam momenta (3 \GeVc, 5 \GeVc, 8 \GeVc, 8.9 \GeVc (Be only), 12 \GeVc and 12.9 \GeVc (Al only)) and compared to previously available data.
Double-differential cross section for PI+ production from BE in the LAB system for PI+ polar angle from 0.35 to 0.55 radians.
Double-differential cross section for PI+ production from BE in the LAB system for PI+ polar angle from 0.55 to 0.75 radians.
Double-differential cross section for PI+ production from BE in the LAB system for PI+ polar angle from 0.75 to 0.95 radians.
A measurement of the double-differential cross-section for the production of charged pions in proton--tantalum collisions emitted at large angles from the incoming beam direction is presented. The data were taken in 2002 with the HARP detector in the T9 beam line of the CERN PS. The pions were produced by proton beams in a momentum range from 3 \GeVc to 12 \GeVc hitting a tantalum target with a thickness of 5% of a nuclear interaction length. The angular and momentum range covered by the experiment ($100 \MeVc \le p < 800 \MeVc$ and $0.35 \rad \le \theta <2.15 \rad$) is of particular importance for the design of a neutrino factory. The produced particles were detected using a small-radius cylindrical time projection chamber (TPC) placed in a solenoidal magnet. Track recognition, momentum determination and particle identification were all performed based on the measurements made with the TPC. An elaborate system of detectors in the beam line ensured the identification of the incident particles. Results are shown for the double-differential cross-sections ${{\mathrm{d}^2 \sigma}} / {{\mathrm{d}p\mathrm{d}\theta}}$ at four incident proton beam momenta (3 \GeVc, 5 \GeVc, 8 \GeVc and 12 \GeVc). In addition, the pion yields within the acceptance of typical neutrino factory designs are shown as a function of beam momentum. The measurement of these yields within a single experiment eliminates most systematic errors in the comparison between rates at different beam momenta and between positive and negative pion production.
Double-differential cross section for PI+ production in the LAB system for PI+ polar angle from 0.35 to 0.55 radians.
Double-differential cross section for PI+ production in the LAB system for PI+ polar angle from 0.55 to 0.75 radians.
Double-differential cross section for PI+ production in the LAB system for PI+ polar angle from 0.75 to 0.95 radians.
The double-differential production cross-section of positive pions, $d^2\sigma^{\pi^{+}}/dpd\Omega$, measured in the HARP experiment is presented. The incident particles are 8.9 GeV/c protons directed onto a beryllium target with a nominal thickness of 5% of a nuclear interaction length. The measured cross-section has a direct impact on the prediction of neutrino fluxes for the MiniBooNE and SciBooNE experiments at Fermilab. After cuts, 13 million protons on target produced about 96,000 reconstructed secondary tracks which were used in this analysis. Cross-section results are presented in the kinematic range 0.75 GeV/c < $p_{\pi}$ < 6.5 GeV/c and 30 mrad < $\theta_{\pi}$ < 210 mrad in the laboratory frame.
Double differential cross section for PI+ production in the angular range 30 to 60 MRAD. Errors are point-to-point only.
Double differential cross section for PI+ production in the angular range 60 to 90 MRAD. Errors are point-to-point only.
Double differential cross section for PI+ production in the angular range 90 to 120 MRAD. Errors are point-to-point only.
A precision measurement of the double-differential production cross-section, ${{d^2 \sigma^{\pi^+}}}/{{d p d\Omega}}$, for pions of positive charge, performed in the HARP experiment is presented. The incident particles are protons of 12.9 GeV/c momentum impinging on an aluminium target of 5% nuclear interaction length. The measurement of this cross-section has a direct application to the calculation of the neutrino flux of the K2K experiment. After cuts, 210000 secondary tracks reconstructed in the forward spectrometer were used in this analysis. The results are given for secondaries within a momentum range from 0.75 GeV/c to 6.5 GeV/c, and within an angular range from 30 mrad to 210 mrad. The absolute normalization was performed using prescaled beam triggers counting protons on target. The overall scale of the cross-section is known to better than 6%, while the average point-to-point error is 8.2%.
Double differential PI+ production cross section in the angular range 30 to 60 mrad.. Errors shown are point-to-point only.
Double differential PI+ production cross section in the angular range 60 to 90 mrad.. Errors shown are point-to-point only.
Double differential PI+ production cross section in the angular range 90 to 120 mrad.. Errors shown are point-to-point only.
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