An inclusive study of π^-, K⁰ and a production from pn reactions at 11.6 GeV/c

Cross sections, multiplicities and particle inclusive spectra are presented for π^-, K⁰ and Λ produced in pn reactions at 11.6 GeV/c beam momentum. The results are compared with the data from pp interactions in the same energy range. Correlations between two π^- are also discussed. The main results are: the π^-, K⁰ and Λ all behave similarly as a function of transverse momentum squared; π^- in the forward c.m. hemisphere have spectra in x and y consistent with that of pp interactions, whereas the spectra of π^- in the backward hemisphere fall off more slowly with ∥x∥ and ∥y∥ than those in the forward hemisphere, suggesting n-fragmentation effects. The K⁰ and Λ have x and y distribution roughly similar to those in pp interactions. The K⁰ and Λ are consistent with a modified form of KNO scaling.