DIRC, a New Type of Particle Identification System for BABAR

TL;DR

The paper introduces the DIRC, a novel Cherenkov imaging system utilizing total internal reflection and fused silica bars, designed for particle identification in the BABAR detector at PEP-II.

Contribution

It presents the principles, design, and prototype results of the DIRC, a new Cherenkov detector technology for particle identification.

Findings

Successful demonstration of Cherenkov imaging with DIRC prototype

Optical properties and radiation hardness of quartz radiators confirmed

Design considerations for BABAR detector implementation

Abstract

The DIRC, a new type of Cherenkov imaging device, has been selected as the primary particle identification system for the BABAR detector at the asymmetric B-factory, PEP-II. It is based on total internal reflection and uses long, rectangular bars made from synthetic fused silica as Cherenkov radiators and light guides. In this paper, the principles of the DIRC ring imaging Cherenkov technique are explained and results from the prototype program are presented. The studies of the optical properties and radiation hardness of the quartz radiators are described, followed by a discussion of the detector design.