Backward scattering in and at 8 and 12 GeV/c

Abstract Data on the reactions π − p → p π − , p p → π + π − , K − p → pK and p p → p p at 8 and 12 GeV/c are presented. Our results agree with line reversal symmetry (between π−p → pπ− and p p → π + π − ), Regge pole behaviour for non-exotic reactions ( π − p → p π − , p p → π + π − ), and universal behaviour for exotic reactions ( p p → p p , K − p → pK − ) with dσ/du|u=0 ∼ s−10 excluding the existence of a “glory” mechanism in p p elastic backward scattering in our energy range.