Very high momentum particle identification in ALICE at the LHC

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment, 2010-05, Vol.617 (1), p.424-429
• Main Authors: Agocs, A., Alfaro, R., Barnafoldi, G.G., Boldizsar, L., Cuautle, E., De Cataldo, G., Di Bari, D., Di Mauro, A., Dominguez, I., Fodor, Z., Futo, E., Garcia, E., Hamar, G., Harris, J.W., Levai, P., Martinengo, P., Mayani, D., Molnar, L., Nappi, E., Ortiz, A., Paic, G., Perini, D., Perrino, D., Peskov, V., Piuz, F., Smirnov, N., Varga, D., Volpe, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Detectors; formula omitted; Hadrons; Particle identification detectors; Pions; Proportional integral derivative; Quartz; Radiators; RICH; Simulation; Tracking
• ISSN: 0168-9002; 1872-9576
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2009.09.014

We propose to construct and install a limited acceptance detector to identify hadrons (pions, K, p) up to 30 GeV/ c on a track-by-track basis in space available in ALICE. Details and PID performance simulation results will be presented for two possible options, including a high transverse momentum ( p T ) trigger for this detector. The first option is a RICH design with a C 4 F 10 gas UV-photon radiator, UV-mirror, quartz window and pad-readout. This design requires additional tracking detectors to enable high p T triggering. A second option is a combination of three detectors: a RICH with CF 4 gas both as a UV-photon radiator and as a gas amplification medium (a windowless approach); and a threshold Cherenkov detector ( C 4 F 10 ) with a quartz window and pad readout. The response for minimum ionizing particles (MIP) and UV-photons in these detectors can be well separated. With an additional tracking detector this design will also provide high p T triggering. The simulation includes UV-photon production due to CF 4 scintillation.