Techniques for multiboson interferometry

Abstract

The quantum statistics (QS) correlations of identical bosons are well known to be sensitive to the space-time extent and dynamics of the particle emitting source in high-energy collisions. While two-pion correlations are most often experimentally measured, the QS correlations of three-pions and higher are rarely explored. We present a set of techniques to isolate and analyze 3- and 4-pion QS correlations. In particular, the technique of built correlation functions allows one to more easily study the effects of quantum coherence at finite relative momenta instead of at the unmeasured intercept of correlation functions.