Measurement of meson resonance production in 𝜋−+ C interactions at SPS energies

Abstract

We present measurements of $$\rho ^0$$ρ0, $$\omega $$ωand K$$^{*0}$$∗0spectra in $$\pi ^{-} + $$π-+C production interactions at 158 $$\text{ GeV }{/}\text{ c }$$GeV/cand $$\rho ^0$$ρ0spectra at 350 $$\text{ GeV }{/}\text{ c }$$GeV/cusing the NA61/SHINE spectrometer at the CERN SPS. Spectra are presented as a function of the Feynman’s variable $$x_\text {F}$$xFin the range $$0< x_\text {F} < 1$$0<xF<1and $$0< x_\text {F} < 0.5$$0<xF<0.5for 158 and 350 $$\text{ GeV }{/}\text{ c }$$GeV/crespectively. Furthermore, we show comparisons with previous measurements and predictions of several hadronic interaction models. These measurements are essential for a better understanding of hadronic shower development and for improving the modeling of cosmic ray air showers.