Test beam studies of the TRD prototype filled with different gas mixtures based on Xe, Kr, and Ar

TL;DR

This study evaluates the performance of a TRD prototype filled with various gas mixtures based on Xe, Kr, and Ar through test-beam experiments, aiming to optimize transition radiation detection after gas leaks in the ATLAS TRT.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how different gas mixtures affect transition radiation performance in a TRD prototype, especially after gas leaks in the ATLAS TRT.

Findings

Transition radiation performance varies with different gas mixtures.

Argon-based mixtures can be viable alternatives to Xenon.

Krypton-based mixtures show distinct transition radiation characteristics.

Abstract

Towards the end of LHC Run1, gas leaks were observed in some parts of the Transition Radiation Tracker (TRT) of ATLAS. Due to these leaks, primary Xenon based gas mixture was replaced with Argon based mixture in various parts. Test-beam studies with a dedicated Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) prototype were carried out in 2015 in order to understand transition radiation performance with mixtures based on Argon and Krypton. We present and discuss the results of these test-beam studies with different active gas compositions.