A-dependence of the charm production cross-section in 320 GeV/c π − and 300 GeV/c p interactions

Abstract

Using a 320 GeV/c π − beam incident on three different target materials A1, Fe and U, the A-dependence of charm production is studied by measuring the yield of prompt single muons. Parametrizing the charm cross-section as σ c c ̧ (π − A) = σ 0 A α the measured α values are α( μ +) = 0.76±0.08 and α( μ −) = 0.83 ± 0.06. Preliminary results are also reported, using a 300GeV/c p beam on Fe and U target. In this case the measured α values are α(μ +) = 0.78±0.1±0.1 and α( μ −) = 0.83 ± 0.1 ± 0.1.