Factorial correlation functions and proton-multiplicity fluctuations in azimuthal-angle intervals in inelastic collisions of {sup 12}C with propane and tantalum at a momentum of 4.2 GeV/c per nucleon

Correlations between proton-multiplicity fluctuations in small bins of azimuthal angles are studied for inelastic C-C{sub 3}H{sub 8} and C-Ta interactions at 4.2 GeV/c per nucleon. Analysis of these fluctuations is based on the method of factorial correlation functions. Factorial correlation functions increase with decreasing correlation length, irrespective of the width of azimuthal-angle bins. In the majority of cases, this increase does not follow a power law. However, these correlation functions are independent of the bin size, in accordance with the simple {alpha} model of intermittency. 9 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.