Pion Production in Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions Below a Few GeV/Nucleon: Past, Present and Future

摘要

A general review of experimental data on pion production in A-A collisions for incident energies below a few GeV/nucleon is presented. Early data on inclusive pion spectra, which served as the genesis for present pion measurements, are discussed. The majority of the paper is devoted to present pion experiments, with an emphasis being placed on what such experiments tell about the general features of high-energy A-A collisions. Particular attention is given to multipion production as studied in recent streamer chamber experiments. The review ends with projections on future experiments with the heavier beams that will be available in 1982 at Berkeley, and the higher-energy beams that will hopefully be available in the not too distant future. 39 figures. (ERA citation 06:001578)