The PANDA DIRCs

TL;DR

This paper details the design and validation of DIRC-based particle identification detectors for the PANDA experiment, enabling precise separation of pions and kaons in antiproton physics at FAIR.

Contribution

It introduces the design and beam test validation of the Barrel DIRC and Endcap Disc DIRC detectors for the PANDA experiment.

Findings

Successful particle beam validation at CERN PS

Effective pion-kaon separation up to specified momenta

Designs meet the experimental requirements

Abstract

The PANDA experiment at the FAIR facility adresses open questions in hadron physics with antiproton beams in the momentum range of 1.5-15 GeV/c. The antiprotons are stored and cooled in a High Energy Storage RING (HESR) with a momentum spread down to Dp/p = 4*10^-5. A high luminosity of up to 2*10^32 cm-2 s-1 can be achieved. An excellent hadronic particle identification (PID) will be provided by two Cherenkov detectors using the priciple of Detection of Internally Reflected Cherenkov light (DIRC). In the forward direction from polar angles of 5 degree to 22 degree, the Endcap Disc DIRC (EDD) separates pions from kaons up to momenta of 4 GeV/c. Between 22 degree and 140 degree the Barrel DIRC cleanly separates pions from kaons for momenta up to 3.5 GeV/c. This article describes the design of the Barrel DIRC and of the Endcap Disc DIRC and the validation of their designs in particle beams at the CERN PS.