rho0 meson production in the pp ---> pp pi+ pi- reaction at 3.67-GeV/c.

Total and differential cross sections for the exclusive reaction pp → ppp observed via the π + π - decay channel have been measured at pram = 3.67 GeV/c. The observed total meson production cross section is determined to be (23.4 ′ 0.8 ′ 8) μb and is significantly lower than typical cross sections used in model calculations for heavy-ion collisions. The differential cross sections measured indicate a strong anisotropy (∼ cosθ C M [ ) in the ρ 0 meson production.