Analysis of the Inclusive Spectra of π[sup –] Mesons from Nucleus–Nucleus Collisions in Terms of Light-Front Variables.

The spectra of π[sup -] mesons originating from pC, HeC, CC, and CTa collisions are analyzed in terms of the light-front variables ξ and ζ. The angular and momentum distributions of π[sup -] mesons are studied in various regions of the variables ξ[sup ±] and ζ[sup ±]. These distributions in the regions ξ[sup +] < &ζtilde;[sup +] and ξ[sup +] > &ξtilde;[sup +] do not admit a unified description. In the region ξ[sup +] < &ξtilde;[sup +], the distributions in question are consistent with predictions of the statistical model. The temperature parameter T decreases almost linearly with increasing product of the mass numbers of colliding nuclei (that is, with increasing number of interacting nucleons). The distributions in the region ξ[sup +] > &ξtilde;[sup +] are fitted to semiempirical forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]