Rapidity-rank structure of pp̄ pairs in hadronic Z0 decays

Abstract

The rapidity-rank structure of pp̄ pairs is used to analyze the mechanism of baryon production in hadronic Z0 decay. The relative occurrence of the rapidity-ordered configuration p M p̄, where M is a meson, and that of pp̄ adjacent pairs is compared. The data are found to be consistent with predictions from a mechanism producing adjacent-rank pp̄ pairs, without requiring 'string-ordered' p M p̄ configurations. An upper limit of 15% at 90% confidence is determined for the p M p̄ contribution. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V