Inclusive φ production in π− p interactions at 16 GeV/c

Abstract Inclusive φ production is studied in π − p collisions at 16 GeV/ c . The φ cross section for Feynman variable x φ > 0.2 is found to be (15.5 ± 3.6) μb. This leads to an extrapolated cross section of (29.9 ± 7.0) μb for x φ > 0.0. Fitting the momentum transfer squared distribution of the φ to the form e −bp 2 T gives an average slope of b = (2.4 ± 0.3) (GeV/ c −2 for x φ > 0.5.