A Novel Generic Framework for Track Fitting in Complex Detector Systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces GENFIT, a flexible, modular C++ framework for track fitting in complex detector systems, capable of handling various detector types, configurations, and experimental setups with interchangeable algorithms.

Contribution

The paper presents a fully modular, adaptable track fitting framework that supports multiple algorithms, parameterizations, and detector representations, enhancing versatility in experimental physics analyses.

Findings

Validated Kalman filter implementation

Supports multiple track parameterizations simultaneously

Handles diverse detector hit representations

Abstract

This paper presents a novel framework for track fitting which is usable in a wide range of experiments, independent of the specific event topology, detector setup, or magnetic field arrangement. This goal is achieved through a completely modular design. Fitting algorithms are implemented as interchangeable modules. At present, the framework contains a validated Kalman filter. Track parameterizations and the routines required to extrapolate the track parameters and their covariance matrices through the experiment are also implemented as interchangeable modules. Different track parameterizations and extrapolation routines can be used simultaneously for fitting of the same physical track. Representations of detector hits are the third modular ingredient to the framework. The hit dimensionality and orientation of planar tracking detectors are not restricted. Tracking information from detectors which do not measure the passage of particles in a fixed physical detector plane, e.g. drift chambers or TPCs, is used without any simplifications. The concept is implemented in a light-weight C++ library called GENFIT, which is available as free software.