We discuss the multiplicity distribution for the highest accessible energies of pp and $\overline{p}p$ interactions from the point of view of multiparton collisions. The inelastic cross sections for single ${\sigma }_1$ and multiple (double and, presumably, triple) ${\sigma }_2$ parton collisions are calculated from the analysis of experimental data on the multiplicity distribution up to Fermilab Tevatron energies. It is found that ${\sigma }_1$ becomes energy independent while ${\sigma }_2$ increases with $\sqrt{s}$ for $\sqrt{s}>~200\hspace{0.5em}\mathrm{GeV}.$ The observed growth of $〈p_{\perp }〉$ with multiplicity is attributed to the increasing role of multiparton collisions for the high-energy $\overline{p}p\left(\mathrm{pp}\right)\mathrm{}$-inelastic interactions. ${\sigma }_{2+3}$ reproduces quite well the cross section for minijet production.

• Received 5 January 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.59.034022