Pion production from beryllium at 3 degrees by 12.3-gev/c protons

We have measured absolute positive- and negative-pion production cross sections from a thin beryllium target using a single-arm magnetic spectrometer. The scintillation counters were arranged in such a way that the solid angle of the system could be reliably calculated. Secondary beam intensities in the 1.0- to $5.0\ensuremath{-}\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$ range can be calculated from these absolute cross sections. In addition, the well-known excess of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ over ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ production in the forward direction above $1.0 \frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$ is confirmed.