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The experimental data on multiplicity, correlations, and inclusive spectra of protons, T' mesons, y, neutral strange particles, and fast neutrons produced in the backward (Blab > 90") hemisphere in the laboratory system are presented for p ' ONe interactions and compared with predictions generated by the additive quark model, the Lund model, and the dual parton model. Whereas all these models adequately reproduce the T and y data, only the additive quark model is consistent with the proton data. Strong evidence for the production of backward-emitted isobars is presented and lower limits (corresponding to O;ab>90") are measured to be o ( A + + ) = 6 . 6 k l . 1 mb, o(A0)=8.1*1.0 mb, and o(N*(1440))=3.3+0.6 mb. These backward isobars are responsible for -30% of the backward 7' . The evidence is much weaker for backward [~(~~) = 0 . 8 1 ?~~~ mb] and o0 [u(w0)=0.69?E:$ mb] at 95% C.L. Evidence of correlations between backward, cumulative protons and forward protons is presented. Using these correlations we present evidence for absorption of pions by quasi-two-nucleon systems within the neon nucleus: u ( a + "b'-pp)=18.6*3.0 mb and U ( T + "b"+Ap)=2.7+1.6 mb.PACS number(s): 13.85.Ni, 14.20.Gk, 25.40.Ve

The data on the total inelastic and partial cross sections inpNe interactions at 300 GeV are presented. It is found that the total cross section, u,,(pNe) = 356* 13 mb, and multiplicity distributions of the number of negative and relativistic charged particles are in good agreement with predictions of a multiple-scattering model based on Glauber's approach. The multiplicity of negative particles obeys the Koba-Nielsen-Olesen (KNO) scaling, but it is observed that the KNO function depends on the atomic mass number of the target. From an analysis of the average multiplicities of secondary particles, it is shown that approximately 10 percent of the fast ( p 2 1.2 GeV) positive secondaries are protons, which are derived from the nucleons in the neon nucleus.

Data on two-and three-proton correlations in proton-neon interactions at 300 GeV/c are presented. It is found that the two-proton correlation increases as the average proton momentum increases. From this two-proton correlation we estimate the size of the proton-emission region to be less than 1 fm for high-energy protons ( > 700 MeV/c). There is some indication of a spherical asymmetry in the shape of proton-emission source. The data also show evidence for the presence of three-proton correlations.