The reactions π − p → p π − and π − p → p ϱ − ( ϱ − → π − π 0 ) at 10 GeV/ c with the proton in the forward direction in the c.m.s. are discussed on the basis of 953 elastic scattering events and 2240 events of the reaction π − p → p π − π 0 . The total backward cross sections are 0.52±0.10 and 1.52±0.28 μ b, respectively. In both cases the production mechanism is compatible with the dominance of the baryonic Δ δ Regge trajectory exchange. The ϱ − decay angular distributions are studied in the u -channel helicity frame and the spin density matrix elements are presented as functions of u .
Measurements of the differential cross section for the inclusive production of high-energy π0's are reported for the reactions π±p→π0X at a laboratory momentum of 14 GeV/c. The kinematic range covered, in terms of the Feynman scaling variable x and the transverse momentum P⊥, is 0.25≤x≤1.0 and 0≤P⊥≤0.7 GeV/c. Two spectrometers, both employing large NaI(Tl) crystals, are used to detect the π0's and to identify them with a mass resolution of 17 MeV (full width at half maximum). The results are in accord with the hypothesis of limiting fragmentation, which regards the measured reactions, in the kinematic range covered, as examples of disfavored fragmentation.
Measurements are reported of inclusive production of η-mesons in the beam fragmentation region in γp, πp andKp collisions. Results include a small but significant departure from VMD, and a pronounced rise in theη/π0 ratio with increasingpT.
Measurements are reported of inclusive production of π0-mesons in the beam fragmentation region in γp, πp andKp collisions. Results include the ratio of π0 production inKp and πp collisions, showing reduced production from fragmentation of theK-meson, and the ratio of π0 production in photon and hadron collisions which shows agreement with modified Vector Meson Dominance at lowPT, and departures at higherPT signalling the onset of direct photon reactions. The pattern of departure from Feynman scaling at highPT points to a contribution of hard parton-parton collisions in both γp and πp collisions.