E. Borsato

Design and prototype tests of the RPC system for the OPERA spectrometers

The Inner Tracker system of the spectrometers of the OPERA experiment makes use of Resistive Plate Chambers (RPC) in a large-scale application. We present here the definition of the project and the full design of the Inner Tracker. Specific performances for the OPERA-RPC in the spectrometer are also reported. Particle detection, muon identification and trigger capability are discussed, in particular. Some results from test beam (T9 and T7 lines at the CERN PS) and measurements from laboratory test (CERN, Frascati, Padova, Gran Sasso) with prototype detectors are discussed, as well as specific solutions developed for the final set-up in OPERA. Full Monte Carlo simulations of the experimental set-up have been also developed.

Beam Test of Silicon Strip Sensors for the ZEUS Micro Vertex Detector

Abstract For the HERA upgrade, the ZEUS experiment has designed and installed a high precision Micro Vertex Detector (MVD) using single sided μ -strip sensors with capacitive charge division. The sensors have a readout pitch of 120 μm , with five intermediate strips ( 20 μm strip pitch). An extensive test program has been carried out at the DESY-II testbeam facility. In this paper we describe the setup developed to test the ZEUS MVD sensors and the results obtained on both irradiated and non-irradiated single sided μ-strip detectors with rectangular and trapezoidal geometries. The performances of the sensors coupled to the readout electronics (HELIX chip, version 2.2) have been studied in detail, achieving a good description by a Monte Carlo simulation. Measurements of the position resolution as a function of the angle of incidence are presented, focusing in particular on the comparison between standard and newly developed reconstruction algorithms.

Four-layer aerogel Cherenkov counter

Abstract A 4-layer design of aerogel threshold counters using two refractive indices was suggested for the particle identification in the forward region of the BaBar detector. Three prototypes filled with the high quality aerogel produced in Novosibirsk were tested at T10 beam at CERN. Monte Carlo code was developed for the simulation of the light collection in aerogel counters. Monte Carlo results based on measured PTFE reflection coefficient and aerogel absorption and scattering lengths are in agreement with experiment.

Extensive tests of Hybryd Photon Detectors (HPD) used to collect Cherenkov light

Abstract The principle of operation of a newly developed proximity focused Hybrid Photon Detector is described. The HPD characteristics, performance and calibration are reported. Results from beam tests of aerogel threshold counters read out by HPD and the particle identification performance are presented.

The BaBaR drift chamber project

The BaBar Drift Chamber is now under construction. We review its design, the progress in the construction of the components, the plan for assembly and stringing and we present test results obtained with a prototype exposed at SLAC to cosmic rays. We also report on projected dE/dx performance from beam tests done with a chamber with a different cell design.

Performance of a prototype aerogel counter readout by fine mesh photo-tubes

Abstract The BaBar experiment, in order to achieve its physics program, requires pion/kaon identification capability up to 4.3 GeV/ c . The recent development of new processes has lead to the fabrication of low density silica aerogel with high optical quality. An aerogel threshold counter using the combination of two refractive indices (1.055 and 1.007) can be used to complete the angular coverage of the particle identification system in the forward region of the BaBar experiment. We present final test-beam results on a two-layer aerogel prototype, readout by Hamamatsu fine mesh photo-tubes, as required by the high magnetic field environment of the BaBar experiment. Several configurations have been tested, with different aerogels, photo-tubes and reflective materials. A comparison between data and a detailed Monte Carlo simulation is also presented. The result of the test shows that such a detector can achieve the desired performances.

Performance of an aerogel threshold particle identification detector readout by hybrid photon detectors

This paper describes an aerogel threshold particle identification detector developed for use in BABAR, the experiment to be run at the asymmetric e/sup +/e/sup -/ B-factory PEP-II under construction at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). Results of extensive tests performed at the CERN PS indicate that this detector is capable of separating pions from below-threshold particles in a wide momentum range. The detector is read by a new version of a hybrid photon detector (HPD). The HPD has been chosen because of its excellent behavior in high magnetic fields, where it can be successfully exploited to preserve the required particle identification (PID) performance.

Recent results on prototype aerogel threshold counters for particle identification in the region 0.5–4.3 GeV/c

Abstract The recent development of new processes has led to the fabrication of small density silica aerogel with high optical quality. The BaBar experiment, in order to achieve its physics program, requires a good pion/kaon identification capability up to 4.3 GeV/ c able to work inside a 1.5 T magnetic field. An aerogel threshold counter using the combination of two refractive indices (1.055 and 1.007) can be used to complete the angular coverage of the particle identification system in the forward region. Different detector geometries read out by two photodetector types (fine mesh phototubes and hybryd photodiodes) have been considered and tested in a CERN beam test.

The automated stringing system for the BaBar drift chamber

Abstract After discussing the motivations for the project, the automated equipment used for the BaBar Drift Chamber stringing is described. Details are given mainly concerning the crucial points of setting-up and calibration. The focus is on the high accuracy reached by a large and complex mechanical tool.

The application software of the instrument control unit of Euclid-NISP: ready for qualification tests

In this paper we describe the application software (ASW) of the instrument control unit (ICU) of NISP, the Near-Infrared Spectro-Photometer of the Euclid mission. This software is based on a real-time operating system (RTEMS) and will interface with all the subunits of NISP, as well as the command and data management unit (CDMU) of the spacecraft for telecommand and housekeeping management.