Phenomenology of multipion production in p̅p annihilation based on an analysis of p̅p→5π at 3.25 GeV/c

Abstract

We analyze some data for the reaction p̅p→2π⁺2π^-π⁰ at 3.25 GeV/c. We study the dependence on different momentum-transfer variables, momentum distributions, and charge distributions. We compare the behavior with well-known characteristics of πp→nucleon + pions and pp→(2 nucleons) + pions. We also compare the data with computer-generated events constrained only by Lorentz-invariant phase space (LIPS). We find that the data agree in many respects with LIPS. Apart from a few statistically significant features mentioned in the text, the data show little dependence on the momenta or the charges. This is in sharp contrast with the pions produced in πp, Kp, or pp inelastic scattering. We discuss the result and its implications about annihilation processes and give arguments as to why our result might be valid at higher energies as well.