Charged multiplicity distributions in rapidity bins for pp collisions at\(\sqrt s = 31\), 44 and 62 GeV, 44 and 62 GeV

The multiplicity distributions of charged secondaries in proton-proton interactions at\(\sqrt s = 31\), 44 and 62 GeV have been measured with high statistics using the split field magnet (SFM) detector at the CERN ISR. The multiplicity distributions for narrow bins in rapidity depend on the rapidity variable. The validity of KNO scaling is discussed. The negative binomial function fits well the charged and negative multiplicity data for full phase space and for central rapidity windows. The energy and the rapidity dependence of the negative binomial parameters,\(\bar n\) andk, are presented. We also analyse their implications for a cascade model in terms of the average number of «clans» and of the average number of particles per «clan».