Three pion correlations in relativistic heavy ion collisions
A graphical method to obtain the general multi-pion correlation functions for a partially coherent pion source is proposed. In an application of this technique, the general four-pion correlation function is obtained for the first time. A modified Gaussian model for a partially coherent source is proposed. The three-pion and four-pion correlation function, and the relation between two-pion, three-pion and four-pion coherence factors for the partially coherent Gaussian source are given. The general forms of the coherence factors and the correlation functions of higher order multi-pion interference are revealed. The Gamow correction factor for Coulomb repulsion between three negative pions in the final state is derived. Methods of data analysis for three pions and pure pion triplets are designed. The details of these methods are discussed. In multi-pion events, the effect of higher order multi-pion interference on the coherence factors for two pion and three pion analyses is studied. The principal result is that, in n-pion interferometry, the distortion of the n-pion coherence factor mainly comes from the (n + 1) pion-multiplet interference. The distortion of the coherence factor becomes a serious problem in data analysis only in the situation where the pion source has a small radius and low temperature. Finally, the data analyses for three LBL streamer chamber experiments are performed. The fitted pion source parameters from two pion and three pion analyses are quite consistent with each other.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Riverside (USA). Dept. of Physics
- DOE Contract Number:
- AS03-80ER10626
- OSTI ID:
- 5225224
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/10626-T3; ON: DE86016111
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ARGON
BOSONS
CHARGED-PARTICLE REACTIONS
CORRELATION FUNCTIONS
DATA ANALYSIS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY RANGE
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONS
GAMOW BARRIER
GASES
HADRONS
HEAVY ION REACTIONS
LEAD
MESONS
METALS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
PIONS
PSEUDOSCALAR MESONS
RARE GASES
RELATIVISTIC RANGE