Regularity of Multiplicity Distribution inNNandπNCollisions and the Structure of the Nucleon

Abstract

The frequencies for the various numbers of charged secondaries emitted from $\mathrm{pp}$, ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}p$, $\mathrm{pn}$, ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}n$, and $\mathrm{nn}$ collisions from below production threshold to 27-BeV primary energy were found to define a single set of curves which can be expressed by a universal set of "multiplicity distribution functions" constructed from Poisson terms when conservation laws are suitably incorporated. The distribution functions so obtained contain no adjustable parameter and fit well the $\mathrm{NN}$ cosmic-ray jets at 100-250 BeV, the highest energy at which $\mathrm{NN}$ collision data are available. The $\ensuremath{\Lambda}K\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ accompanying the pions produced by ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ were also found to follow the same distribution. The multiplicity regularity found points immediately to the existence of a number of nearly identical regions or "cells" inside the nucleon and the fireball.