The Limiting Curve of Leading Particles from Hadron-Nucleus Collisions at Infinite A

Abstract

We argue that as the atomic number of the target nucleus $A\to \infty$, the multiplicity of leading particles in hadron-nucleus collisions tends to a finite limit. The limiting multiplicities for various particle production are computed for both proton and pion projectiles. Signatures at finite A are discussed. Data from 100 GeV/c central hadron-nucleus collisions are analyzed and found to be in qualitative agreement with this picture.

14 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, In press Physics Letters B 1997