Performance of CMS Hadron Calorimeter Timing and Synchronization using Test Beam, Cosmic Ray, and LHC Beam Data

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the timing resolution and synchronization accuracy of the CMS hadron calorimeter using test beam, cosmic ray, and LHC beam data, demonstrating precise timing performance essential for particle detection.

Contribution

It presents the design, implementation, and performance results of the CMS hadron calorimeter's timing and synchronization systems across multiple data-taking periods.

Findings

Timing resolution of about 1.2 ns for >100 GeV hadronic showers

Inter-channel synchronization within 2 ns

Effective out-of-time background rejection

Abstract

This paper discusses the design and performance of the time measurement technique and of the synchronization systems of the CMS hadron calorimeter. Time measurement performance results are presented from test beam data taken in the years 2004 and 2006. For hadronic showers of energy greater than 100 GeV, the timing resolution is measured to be about 1.2 ns. Time synchronization and out-of-time background rejection results are presented from the Cosmic Run At Four Tesla and LHC beam runs taken in the Autumn of 2008. The inter-channel synchronization is measured to be within 2 ns.