Particle Spectra in Statistical Models with Energy and Momentum Conservation

Abstract

Single particle momentum spectra are calculated within three micro-canonical statistical ensembles, namely, with conserved system energy, system momentum, as well as system energy and momentum. Deviations from the exponential spectrum of the grand canonical ensemble are quantified and discussed. For mean particle multiplicity and temperature, typical for p+p interactions at the LHC energies, the effect of the conservation laws extends to transverse momenta as low as about 3 GeV/c. The results may help to interpret spectra measured in nuclear collisions at high energies, in particular, their system size dependence.