The predictions from a nonextensive self-consistent theory recently proposed are investigated. Transverse momentum ($p_T$) distribution for several hadrons obtained in $p+p$ collisions are analyzed to verify if there is evidence for a limiting effective temperature and a limiting entropic index. In addition, the hadron-mass spectrum proposed in that theory is confronted with available data. It turns out that all $p_T$ distributions and the mass spectrum obtained in the theory are in good agreement with experiment with constant effective temperature and constant entropic index. The results confirm that the nonextensive statistics plays an important role in the description of the termodynamics of hadronic systems, and also that the self-consistent principle holds for energies as high as those achieved in the LHC. A discussion on the best $p_T$-distribution formula for fitting experimental data is presented.

• Received 7 December 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.87.114022