Prompt Muon Production at SmallXFandPTin 350-GeVp-Fe Collisions

Abstract

Total prompt muon production rate for muons with $P_{\mathrm{lab}}>8\mathrm{}$ GeV has been measured in 350-GeV $p$-Fe collisions. A prompt rate of (3.29±0.45)×${10}^{-4\mathrm{}}$ per collision is determined, yielding $\frac{\mu }{\pi }=(0.93\mathrm{}\pm 0.13)\times {10}^{-4\mathrm{}}$. The $\frac{\mu }{\pi }$ ratio does not show the rise at small $X_{\mathrm{F}}$ and small $P_T$ seen in intersecting-storage-ring $\frac{\mathrm{electron}}{\pi }$ measurements. A charm production cross section of 22±9 μb/nucleon is extracted from the contributions of prompt single muons to the total prompt rate.