KL-nucleus total cross sections between 30 and 150 GeV: Quantitative evidence for inelastic screening

We have obtained high-statistics, virtually systematics-free K/sub L/-nucleus total-cross section data for C, Al, Cu, Sn, and Pb from 30 to 150 GeV. These cross sections have an A/sup 0.84/ /sup + -/ /sup 0.01/ dependence over most of the momentum range, in agreement with the Glauber-Franco model. Their magnitudes are, however, not compatible with that model alone: The discrepancies are clearly resolved once one allows for inelastic screening within the nucleus. The data strongly support the theory of this latter effect as given by Karmanov and Kondratyuk.