Charged-particle multiplicity and transverse energy measured in32S central interactions at 200 GeV per nucleon

Interactions induced by 200 GeV per nucleon32S ions on heavy targets were selected by the HELIOS calorimeters and studied in nuclear emulsions. Global observables, such as charged particle multiplicity and transverse energy, were determined event-by-event. Multiplicity and transverse energy were measured as a function of the pseudorapidity over the large acceptance of the present experiment (0.6≤η≤5.5). A comparison of the experimental data with those provided by the event generators FRITIOF and VENUS shows remarkable differences both in the target spectator region and in the participant region. An attempt is made to interpret these discrepancies in terms of plausible mechanisms, like baryon-pair production or rescattering.