Transition radiation detector with straw tubes

Abstract

Charged particle tracking and identification are important elements of any elementary particle physics experiment. Transition radiation is often used to separate electrons from heavier charged particles. This thesis describes a combined tracking and transition radiation detector well suited to the high rate environment of the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC). In the proposed "Electrons Muons Partons with Air Core Toroids" (EMPACT) detector at the SSC the straw tubes with 4 mm diameter filled with 50-50 Xenon-CO₂ and polyethylene radiation foams are selected for the tracking system. The principles of operation of proportional chambers have been studied. The size of the tube is related to the characteristics of the filling gas and the desired occupancy.