Basic information :

　

We propose an R&D research on a large-area and cost-effective muon telescope detector (MTD) for RHIC and for next generation detectors at future QCD Lab from state-of-art multi-gap resistive plate chamber (MRPC) with large module and long strips. Conventional muon detectors rely heavily on tracking stations while this new R&D project proposes to use good timing and coarse spatial resolutions to identify muons with momentum of a few GeV/c. This R&D project was approved as BNL LDRD (Lab Director R&D) project and will focus on studying the capability of muon identification based on timing resolution from the MRPC detector with large module, long strips and fast electronics for online trigger. We propose to build a prototype MTD with three layers: MRPC TOF + GEM+ Scintillator trays. This will be tested outside the STAR magnet using the return iron yokes as hadron absorber (5 interaction length). It will have excellent timing resolution (<100ps), good spatial points for tracking(<cm) and some dE/dx capability to evaluate the MRPC performance as a compact muon detector.

 

We will use FNAL test beam facility to test the performance of TOF electronics, MRPC strips and two wire chambers before installation at STAR/RHIC.

  

A) Time resolution and detection efficiency vs HV, threshold and gas mixture.

B) Position dependence along length- and width- direction

C) Response for inclined particle crossing.

D) With thin hadron absorber (1！1.5meter steel) in and out of the beam for low-momentum (<10 GeV/c) μ identification.

E) Readout electronics and cable connection test.

F) Footprint (size of the avalanche) of the signal by vertical scan

G) performance of wire chamber (stability, resolution)

　

In short, We propose to use the test beam in April/May 2007. We will need a motion table to scan the detector.

 

References:

  1. Zhangbu Xu (Principal Investigator):
    ＾A novel and compact muon telescope detector for QCDLab￣, BNL LDRD project
  2. RHIC experimental white papers: Nuclear Physics A 757 (2005)
  3. Theoretical overview of dilepton physics:
    R. Rapp and J. Wambach, Adv. Nucl. Phys. 25 (2000) 1
    T. Matsui and H. Saltz, Phys. Lett. B 178 (1986)416
    Electromagnetic Probes at RHIC II (Working Group Report): nucl-ex/0611009
  4. Dilepton experimental results in relativistic heavy ion collisions:
    NA50 Collaboration: Phys.     Lett. B 410 (1997) 337,
    CERES Collaboration: Phys. Rev. Lett. 75 (1995) 1272,
    PHENIX Collaboration: Phys.     Rev. C 69 (2004) 014901
  5. Muon Detectors at Colliders (e.g.):
    PHENIX,  CDF,  BELLE,  BES,  ATLAS,  CMS ... ...
  6. STAR Time-of-Flight Proposal:
    http://www.star.bnl.gov/STAR/tof/publications/TOF_20040524.pdf