A-dependence of muon pair production in π-nucleus interactions at 280 GeV/c

Abstract

We have measured the relative cross sections for muon pair production by 280 GeV/ c negative pions on three different targets: carbon, copper, and tungsten. The value of α obtained from the parametrization σ = constant × A α is 0.94 ± 0.02 ± 0.02, whereas the parametrization σ≈σ 0( Z A ) A α′ , where σ 0( Z A ) is given by the Drell-Yan model, leads to α′ = 0.97 ±0.02±0.02. This last result is in agreement with the quark additivity rule which is inherent in the Drell-Yan model, no dependence is observed on the transverse momentum of the muon pair.