Measurement of charged particle production from 450 GeV/c protons on beryllium

This paper presents the results on charged particle yields and production r atios as measured by the NA56/SPY experiment for 450 GeV/c proton interacti ons on beryllium targets. The data cover a secondary momentum range from 7 GeV/c to 135 GeV/c and pr values up to 600 MeV/c. An experimental accuracy on the measured yields in the range from 5% to 10%, depending on the beam m omentum, and around 3% for the particle production ratios has been achieved . These measurements are relevant for a precise evaluation of fluxes and co mposition of neutrino beams at accelerators. Results on the target thicknes s and shape dependence are also reported. Inclusive invariant cross section s in the forward direction have been derived.