Neutral strange particle production in π−p interactions at 16 GeV/c

Abstract The production of K S 0 , Λ and Λ in π − p ractions at 16 GeV/ c is investigated. Cross sections for single strange particles are determined, both inclusively and as functions of the charged multiplicity. Some characteristics of the multiplicity distributions are also discussed. Inclusive distributions are studied as a function of the longitudinal and transverse variables of V 0 and the missing mass squared. The average charged multiplicities of the systems recoiling against the Λ and K S 0 are presented.