General characteristics of the annihilation reaction pp → 3π+ 3π− (π0) at 3.6 GeV/c

Abstract About 43 000 four prong events of antiproton-proton interactions at 3.6 GeV/ c have been analysed in order to investigate pion annihilation. The cross sections of different channels are determined. Resonance production (including associated resonances) in 4π and 5π final states is analysed in detail. More than one resonance per event is produced. Associated resonance production is important (25% of the cases). Angular and momentum distributions of single pions and those of resonances are given. The influence of resonance production is analysed. Peripheral character appears in particular in two body (ϱ o f o , f o f o , ϱ o g o , f o g o , ω o f o ) and three body (ϱ ± ϱ o π ± ) annihilations.