Secondary neutral pion-nucleon flux ratio at the top of the atmosphere

The CERN Intersecting Storage Ring data on the inclusive reaction p+p to pi /sup 0/+X has been fitted with a phenomenological form E(d/sup 3 / sigma /d/sup 3/p)=f(x, p/sub T/)=W/sub c/(a, b, z), where W/sub c /(a, b, z) is the generalised confluent function defined by W/sub c /(a, b, z)=e/sup -cz/ M(a, b, z). M(a, b, z) being the well known Kummer's function. Using this form and the primary proton spectrum of the Goddard Space Flight Center group the secondary neutral pion- nucleon flux ratio at the top of the atmosphere has been estimated. The derived result has been compared with those expected from p+p to pi /sup +or-/+X data, via different models. (8 refs).