Using a silicon-microstrip detector array to identify secondary vertices occurring downstream of a short platinum target, we have searched for the decay D0→μ+μ−. Normalized relative to the J/ψ→μ+μ− signal observed in the same data sample, for a 3.25-mm minimum decay distance our branching-ratio sensitivity is (4.8±1.4)×10−6 per event, and after background subtraction we observe -4.1±4.8 events. Using the statistical approach advocated by the Particle Data Group, we obtain a limit B(D0→μ+μ−)<3.1×10−5 at 90% confidence, confirming with a different technique the limit previously obtained by Louis et al. The interpretation of the upper limit involves complex statistical issues; we present another approach which is more suitable for combining the results of different experiments.
The differential cross sections dσ/dxF for J/ψ produced inclusively in 800 GeV/c p-Cu and p-Be collisions have been measured in the kinematic range 0.30≤xF≤0.95 through the decay mode J/ψ→μ+μ−. They are compared with the predictions of the semilocal duality model for several sets of parton density functions. No evidence for a suggested intrinsic charm contribution to the cross section is observed. The ratio of the differential cross sections for Cu and Be targets confirms the suppression of J/ψ production in heavy nuclei at large xF.
Using data from Fermilab fixed-target experiment E769, we have measured particle-antiparticle production asymmetries for Lambda0 hyperons in 250 GeV/c pi+-, K+- and p -- nucleon interactions. The asymmetries are measured as functions of Feynman-x (x_F) and p_t^2 over the ranges -0.12<=x_F<=0.12 and 0<=p_t^2<=3 (GeV/c)^2 (for positive beam) and -0.12<=x_F<=0.4 and 0<=p_t^2<=10 (GeV/c)^2 (for negative beam). We find substantial asymmetries, even at x_F around zero. We also observe leading-particle-type asymmetries. These latter effects are qualitatively as expected from valence-quark content of the target and variety of projectiles studied.
We report a measurement of the inclusive D/D̄ production cross section in 800 GeV/ c proton-proton interactions. The experiment used the high resolution bubble chamber LEBC exposed to an 800 GeV/ c proton beam at the Fermilab MPS. We obtain σ( D/ D ̄ )=59 −15 +22 μ b (statistical errors), having analysed 25% of the total data sample. Comparison with 400 GeV/ c pp dat a obtained with LEBC at CERN shows a D/D̄ cross section increase by a factor of 1.7 −0.5 +0.7 . This is in good agreement with fusion model calculations.
Results are reported concerning the charged-particle multiplicity distribution obtained in an exposure of the high-resolution hydrogen bubble chamber LEBC to a beam of 800 GeV protons at the Fermilab MPS. This is the first time that such data have been available at this energy. The distribution of the number n ch of charged particles produced in inelastic interactions obeys KNO-scaling. The average multiplicity is 〈 n ch 〉 = 10.26±0.15. For n ch ⩾8 the data can be well fitted to a negative binomial. The difference between the overall experimental multiplicity distribution and that resulting from the latter fit is in agreement with the contribution expected from diffractive processes.
This paper analyzes π−N→π−π−π+N events from Fermilab experiment E-580, using 200-GeV/c particles on a segmented target of plastic scintillator. Starting with 48 657 triggers, data-quality cuts and a cut on missing mass squared of M2<16 GeV2 lead to a final sample of 7205 events. The xF distribution of the 3π system shows almost all events in a sharp peak at xF=1, suggesting the presence of beam diffraction into three pions. The overall t’ distribution is fit to the sum of three exponential terms corresponding to coherent diffraction from carbon nuclei, diffraction from individual nucleons, and background. Cross sections per nucleon and exponential slopes are reported for each of the three components as a function of 3π effective mass. The cross section for diffraction from the nucleons in the target is 0.34±0.04 mb/nucleon. The cross section for coherent diffraction from carbon is 1.08±0.12 mb/nucleus. The exponential slope for diffraction is observed to decrease with increasing 3π effective mass. The fraction of coherent carbon diffraction in the total cross section is observed to decrease with increasing 3π effective mass. In the π−π+ effective-mass spectrum the ρ0(770) and f0(1270) are observed and their cross sections per nucleon are calculated. In the π−π−π+ effective-mass spectrum the A1−/A2− and A3− enhancements are observed and a cross section for the A3− is calculated.
The reaction π−N→KS0KS0π−N′ at 200 GeV/c has been observed with a sensitivity of 450±150 events/μb. The KS0KS0π− system exhibits substantial K*−(890)K0 production. Also produced are f0(1270)π−, f′(1515)π−, and K*−(1430)K0 final states. These resonances occur predominantly at threshold. The diffractive KS0KS0π− cross section is 3.4±1.1 μb. An enhancement near the A3−(1680) is observed in the KS0KS0π− invariant-mass distribution.
The diffractive dissociation of a 200-GeV/c π− beam into KS0KS0π+π−π− has been observed. The diffractive KS0KS0π+π−π− cross section is 1.59±0.78 μb. The ratio of the diffractive KS0KS0π+π−π− cross section to the diffractive KS0KS0π− cross section is 0.40±0.13, which is in good agreement with a diffractive-fragmentation-model prediction of 0.36. There is evidence for simultaneous production of K*− and K*+ in the diffractive KS0KS0π+π−π− sample. The K*+−KS0π−+ mass distribution shows an enhancement near 1.95 GeV.
The production of φ-meson pairs has been observed in 400-GeV/c proton-nucleon interactions at the Fermilab multiparticle spectrometer in the inclusive reaction pN→φφ+X, where each φ decays to a K+K− pair. A fast (200 nsec) high-level processor was used to selectively trigger on events containing two pairs of oppositely charged kaons having low invariant masses. The experimental apparatus and trigger processor are described. The cross section for φφ production and an upper limit for ηc production are presented.
For the reaction π−N→V0X, where V0 is a Ks0, Λ, and Λ¯ and X are charged particles, we measured the transverse- and longitudinal-momentum distributions, and inclusive cross sections for the V0 and for K*±(892), Σ±(1385), and Ξ±(1321). We compare our results with predictions of quark-counting rules, and conclude that valence quarks play an important role in strange-particle production.
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