Pion interferometry with higher-order cumulants

Abstract

We have measured second- and third-order cumulants in UA1 data ($\bar pp$ collisions at 630 GeV/c). Rather than quoting numerical values for source parameters, we have used these in three checks to test the ``quantum statistics'' theory for consistency over these cumulants. In the process, we have found a method for folding theoretical correlation functions with experimental one-particle distributions. Our preliminary results appear to indicate that, for the specific tests performed, the data contradicts the theory.