Transverse mass distributions of neutral pions from $^{208}$Pb-induced reactions at 158$\cdot A$ GeV

Abstract

Results on transverse mass spectra of neutral pions measured at central rapidity are presented for impact parameter selected 158$\cdot A$ GeV Pb + Pb, and Pb + Nb collisions. The distributions cover the range $0.5 \mathrm{GeV}/c^{2} \le m_{T} - m_{0} \le 4 \mathrm{GeV}/c^{2}$. The change of the spectral shape with centrality is studied in detail. In going from peripheral to medium central collisions there is a nuclear enhancement increasing with transverse mass similar to the well known Cronin effect, while for very central collisions this enhancement appears to be weaker than expected.

11 pages, 15 figures, revised version accepted for publication in EUR.PHYS.J. C