A simple high efficiency Cherenkov counter

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1994 · IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/23.281519· OSTI ID:7234993

Ganezer, K S; Keig, W E ^[1]; Shor, A F ^[2]

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1. California State Univ., Carson, CA (United States). Dept. of Physics
2. Soreg Nuclear Research Center, Yavne (Israel)

The authors have developed a threshold Cherenkov counter using a liquid radiator and a simple array of mirrors for light collection. The index of refraction of the fluorochemical radiator is 1.282 (at 400 nm). This is significantly less than that of water (1.33) and thus provides for a higher [beta] threshold. The device also doubles as a differential Cherenkov counter. It can detect and distinguish particle several centimeters off the optical axis. The counter has been built, tested, and used successfully in several heavy ion experiments. the optical system is designed for maximal pion detection efficiency at a momentum of 1 GeV/c. The counter has a high pion detection efficiency over a wide range of momenta. It produces pulse height distribution that allow resolution of pions from Kaons and other heavy charged particles at 1 GeV/c with high efficiency. Pulse height spectra were obtained and detection efficiencies were measured for pions of various momenta between 100 MeV/c and 1 GeV/c. These measurement agree well with Monte Carlo simulations. The design is one that was easily, quickly, and inexpensively constructed. It enabled the experimenter to build a liquid (differential or threshold) Cherenkov counter with a higher [beta] threshold than that of water and lower than that of aerogel. There are very few materials that can be used for Cherenkov counter construction with [beta] thresholds in this velocity region.

• OSTI ID: 7234993
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States), Vol. 41:1 Pt2; ISSN 0018-9499
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CHARGED PARTICLE DETECTION
CHERENKOV COUNTERS
DESIGN
PARTICLE DISCRIMINATION
REFRACTIVE INDEX
DETECTION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PARTICLE IDENTIFICATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
440104* - Radiation Instrumentation- High Energy Physics Instrumentation