Jet-like structure in the reaction γp→π+π−π+π−π+π−p

Abstract We report on diffractive production of 6 π systems with a continuum of masses from 2 to 5 GeV/c 2 in the reaction γ p→ π + π − π + π − π + π - p. The event structure is compared in detail with Monte Carlo studies of p T limited phase space, and with the jets observed in hadronic systems produced by electron-positron annihilation. Strong similarities are found. For this jet-like structure of the 6 π system the axis is consistent with being along the incident photon direction.