Nucleon-Nucleon Total Cross Sections from 1.1 to 8 GeV/c

Abstract

Measurements have been made of the total cross sections $\sigma (p-p)$ and $\sigma (p-d)$ over the laboratory momentum range 1.1 to 8 GeV/c, with relative errors of 0.1%. The absolute accuracies of these cross sections are limited to 0.3% by lack of information which will allow the Coulomb-nuclear interference to be calculated accurately. Values of the total cross sections $\sigma (p-n)$ and $\sigma \mathrm{}(I=0\mathrm{})\mathrm{}$ are deduced by assuming the Glauber correction. Structure is observed in $\sigma (p-p)$ near a mass value of 2.75 GeV/${\mathit{c}}^2$; its interpretation is discussed. $\sigma \mathrm{}(I=0\mathrm{})\mathrm{}$ rises rapidly in the range 2.3 to 2.9 GeV/${\mathit{c}}^2$, and this is attributed to the onset of strong inelastic scattering.