Particle identification with the AMS-02 RICH detector: D/p and anti-D/anti-p separation

TL;DR

This paper discusses the AMS-02 detector's RICH subsystem for precise particle identification, focusing on separating deuterons from protons and antideuterons from antiprotons, crucial for cosmic ray and dark matter research.

Contribution

It presents detailed Monte Carlo simulations demonstrating the RICH detector's capability for mass separation of specific cosmic ray particles in the AMS-02 experiment.

Findings

Effective separation of deuterons and protons achieved

Antideuteron and antiproton separation demonstrated

Performance evaluated across different energy ranges

Abstract

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), whose final version AMS-02 is to be installed on the International Space Station (ISS) for at least 3 years, is a detector designed to measure charged cosmic ray spectra with energies up to the TeV region and with high energy photon detection capability up to a few hundred GeV, using state-of-the art particle identification techniques. Among several detector subsystems, AMS includes a proximity focusing RICH enabling precise measurements of particle electric charge and velocity. The combination of both these measurements together with the particle rigidity measured on the silicon tracker endows a reliable measurement of the particle mass. The main topics of the AMS-02 physics program include detailed measurements of the nuclear component of the cosmic-ray spectrum and the search for indirect signatures of dark matter. Mass separation of singly charged particles, and in particular the separation of deuterons and antideuterons from massive backgrounds of protons and antiprotons respectively, is essential in this context. Detailed Monte Carlo simulations of AMS-02 have been used to evaluate the detector's performance for mass separation at different energies. The obtained results and physics prospects are presented.