The effective-energy dependence of the charged particle's multiplicity in p/π+/K+ interactions on protons at 147 GeV/c

The energy dependence of the average of the charged multiplicity and its dispersion in π + /K + /p interaction on protons at 147 GeV/ c is found to be the same as in e + e − annihilations if an “effective energy” variable is used instead of the total energy. The effective energy S eff is defined as the invariant mass of all secondaries left after the two leading particles have been removed. Fitting the expression aS eff b to the average charge multiplicity 〈 n ch 〉, we find the power b to be in good agreement with the value of 0.25 predicted by Fermi's statistical model and by Landau's hydrodynamical model.