Improved Particle Identification Using Cluster Counting in a Full-Length Drift Chamber Prototype

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that implementing cluster counting in a full-length drift chamber prototype significantly enhances particle identification capabilities, especially for distinguishing muons from pions, without requiring high-speed electronics.

Contribution

The study introduces a cluster-counting technique combined with traditional charge measurement, showing its effectiveness in particle identification in drift chambers.

Findings

Cluster counting improves muon-pion discrimination.

Optimal results achieved with a 5 ns signal smoothing time.

Feasibility demonstrated without high sampling rate electronics.

Abstract

Single-cell prototype drift chambers were built at TRIUMF and tested with a $\sim\unit[210]{MeV/c}$ beam of positrons, muons, and pions. A cluster-counting technique is implemented which improves the ability to distinguish muons and pions when combined with a traditional truncated-mean charge measurement. Several cluster-counting algorithms and equipment variations are tested, all showing significant improvement when combined with the traditional method. The results show that cluster counting is a feasible option for any particle physics experiment using drift chambers for particle identification. The technique does not require electronics with an overly high sampling rate. Optimal results are found with a signal smoothing time of $\sim\unit[5]{ns}$ corresponding to a $\sim\unit[100]{MHz}$ Nyquist frequency.