Total Cross Sections of Protons, Antiprotons, andπandKMesons on Hydrogen and Deuterium in the Momentum Range 6-22GeVc

Abstract

The total cross sections ${\sigma }_T$ of $p$, $\overline{p}$, ${\pi }^{\pm }$, and $K^{\pm }$ on hydrogen and deuterium have been measured between 6 and 22 $\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$ at intervals of $2\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$ to an accuracy greater than previously reported. The method utilized was a conventional good-geometry transmission experiment with scintillation counters subtending various solid angles at targets of liquid ${\mathrm{H}}_2$ and ${\mathrm{D}}_2$. With the increase in statistical accuracy of the data, it was found that a previously adopted procedure of linearly extrapolating to zero solid angle the partial cross sections measured at finite solid angles was not a sufficiently accurate procedure from which to deduce ${\sigma }_T$. The particle-neutron cross sections are derived by applying the Glauber screening correction to the difference between the particle-deuteron and particle-proton cross sections. The cross sections ${\sigma }_T\left({\pi }^{+}d\right)$ and ${\sigma }_T\left({\pi }^{-}d\right)$ are equal at all measured momenta, which confirms the validity of charge symmetry up to $20\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$. Results are presented showing the variation of cross sections with momentum; evidence is presented for a small but significant decrease in ${\sigma }_T\mathrm{}\left(\mathrm{pp}\right)\mathrm{}$ [and ${\sigma }_T\mathrm{}\left(\mathrm{pn}\right)\mathrm{}$] in the momentum region above $12\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$.