Breakdown of Hadronic Scaling or Evidence for Clustering?

Abstract

We argue that the result of a recent comparison of single-particle spectra at accelerator and cosmic-ray energies is evidence for clustering effects in individual events rather than for a breakdown of the hadronic scaling, as originally suggested. It is pointed out that clustering on rapidity plots corresponding to individual events results, as a kinematic reflection, from the small inelasticity of the through-going particles. A simple model of inclusive spectra (suggested by multiperipheralism and gas-liquid analogy), with kinematic clustering built into it from the outset, is proposed.