Observed multiplicity distributions from 200 GeV neutrons on thick carbon targets; application to multi-core observations in air showers

Abstract

The multiplicity distributions of charged particles produced in carbon targets up to 10 g cm2 by the M3 neutron beam at FNAL ( approximately 210 GeV median energy) have been measured in forward cones. The value of (n) increases only slowly with target thickness but the tail of the distribution (n>or=15) triples with an increase in thickness from 2.5 to 10 g cm-2. The results are used to predict the contribution of local hadron interactions to the sub-cores in air showers observed at Kiel. It is concluded that one-third or more of the sub-cores (about 30) are not due to local hadron interactions.