Multiparton collisions and multiplicity distribution in high-energy pp((p)over-barp) collisions

We discuss the multiplicity distribution for the highest accessible energies of pp- and pp-interactions from the point of view of multiparton collisions. The inelastic cross sections for single, sigma(1) and multiple (double and, presumably, triple), sigma(2) parton collisions are calculated from the analysis of experimental data on the multiplicity distribution up to Tevatron energies. It is found that sigma(1) becomes energy independent while oz increases with root s for root s greater than or equal to 200 GeV. The observed growth of [p(perpendicular to)] with multiplicity is attributed to the increasing role of multiparton collisions for the high-energy (p) over bar p(pp)-inelastic interactions. sigma(2+3) reproduces quite well the cross-section for the mini-jet production. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.