INTERACTIONS OF 24 AND 27 GeV/c PROTONS WITH COMPLEX NUCLEI IN NUCLEAR EMULSIONS

From the analysis of interactions of 24 and 27 GeV/c protons in complex nuclei, the scattered and cascade protons have been separated from the integral energy spectrum. An attempt has been made to separate interactions in CNO and AgBr statistically by the characteristics of their nuclear recoils. Fair agreement is reached in the frequency of events expected from the composition of the emulsion. The distribution of the number (ν) of target nucleons involved in the central collisions in AgBr is found to follow the Poisson distribution. The ratio of tunnel lengths in AgBr and CNO groups is consistent with the predictions of the tunnel model rather than those of the plural cascade theory. The variation of Ns with ν is also compatible with the tunnel model.