Forward-backward multiplicities in π+p interactions between 8 and 23 GeV/c

Abstract We study the multiplicity distributions and the correlations of charged particles produced forward and backward in the centre-of-mass system. The correlations are small but significant. This type of analysis shows clearly the presence of the diffractive component of the inelastic cross section, amounting to about 15% of it. It is also apparent that KNO multiplicity scaling is not satisfied.