$D$ Meson Branching Ratios and Hadronic Charm Production Cross-sections

Abstract A determination of branching ratios for D meson decays into all charged particle final states is reported. The values obtained: (D ± → K ∓ π ± π ± /all D ± ) = (14 ± 6)% and ( D 0 /D 0 → K ± π ∓ π + π − /all D 0 /D 0 ) = (10 ± 4)%, are higher than those currently accepted. This result, if confirmed, implies a corresponding reduction in the accepted values for some total cross section measurements. Revised inclusive cross sections for D meson production in the forward hemisphere in π − p and pp interactions at 360 GeV/ c , are presented.