A RICH detector for hadron identification at JLab

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Particle Physics
• Hadron Spectroscopy

Background:

• Standard Jefferson Lab Hall A detectors (Time-of-Flight and Cherenkov) lack complete proton, kaon, and pion identification.
• Accurate hadron identification is critical for advanced nuclear physics experiments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, build, and test a proximity focusing Ring Image CHerenkov (RICH) detector.
• To achieve high-efficiency separation of kaons from pions for experimental analysis.
• To enhance particle identification capabilities for hypernuclear spectroscopy and QCD studies.

Main Methods:

• Developed and implemented a proximity focusing RICH detector using C(6)F(14)/CsI.
• Tested and operated the RICH detector for hadron identification up to 2.4 GeV/c.
• Utilized the RICH detector in hypernuclear spectroscopy and single spin asymmetry experiments.

Main Results:

• The RICH detector successfully separates kaons from pions with minimal pion contamination (a few percent).
• Achieved particle identification performance up to 2.4 GeV/c.
• Enabled high-resolution hypernuclear spectroscopy and measurements of single spin asymmetries.

Conclusions:

• The C(6)F(14)/CsI RICH detector significantly improves hadron identification capabilities at Jefferson Lab.
• This technology is vital for ongoing research in nuclear structure and fundamental QCD.
• The RICH detector's performance meets the demands of complex, high-precision physics investigations.