Rapidity-Rank Structure of p pbar Pairs in Hadronic Z0 Decays

TL;DR

This paper investigates the structure of proton-antiproton pairs in hadronic Z0 decays, finding that the data support a mechanism producing adjacent-rank pairs without the need for string-ordered configurations, with a limited contribution from meson-involving arrangements.

Contribution

It provides evidence that baryon production in Z0 decays occurs mainly through adjacent-rank p pbar pairs, challenging models requiring string-ordered p M pbar configurations.

Findings

Data consistent with adjacent-rank p pbar production mechanism.

Upper limit of 15% for meson-involving p M pbar contribution.

Supports non-string-ordered baryon production models.

Abstract

The rapidity-rank structure of p pbar pairs is used to analyze the mechanism of baryon production in hadronic Z0 decay. The relative occurrence of the rapidity-ordered configuration p M pbar, where M is a meson, and that of p pbar adjacent pairs is compared. The data are found to be consistent with predictions from a mechanism producing adjacent-rank p pbar pairs, without requiring `string-ordered' p M pbar configurations. An upper limit of 15% at 90% confidence is determined for the p M pbar contribution.