Inclusive π0 and η production in the all neutral mode from 100 GeV/c π−p collisions☆

Results are givenfor π0 and η production in 100 GeV/c π−p collisions, summed over all final states with no charged particles present (the all neutral final states). The data are fitted for x≳0.6 to a modification of triple Regge theory suggested by the multiperipheral model. We find good agreement between the values of the ϱ and A2 trajectories determined in the all neutral process, the full inclusive mode, π−p → (π0, η)X, and the exclusive reactions, π−p → (π0, η)n. The ϱ exchange residue function shows evidence for a dip at t ≈ −0.5 (GeV/c)2 (the ϱ wrong signature nonsense zero), whereas the η data are quite smooth in this region. These successful predictions for both the trajectory and residue function are striking evidence for the validity of triple Regge theory.