Transverse momenta in minimum-bias events at collider energies

Abstract
The origin of transverse momenta in minimum-bias events is investigated within the framework of the dual parton model. A Monte Carlo code nicely reproduces almost all available data in a purely soft framework. However, to obtain the multiplicity dependence of the average transverse momentum, it is necessary to attribute transverse momenta to the initial partons which exceed soft values. Without drastically changing the general picture of particle production, the scattering process has to contain a sizable ‘‘semihard’’ component.