How Do We Interpret Our Data? Modern Detectors
Modern detectors consist of many
different pieces of equipment which test for
different aspects of an event. These many components are arranged in such a
way that physicists can obtain the most data about the
particles spawned by an
event.
This is a schematic design of a typical modern detector.
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Tracking chamber:
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The inner region of the detector is filled with highly segmented sensing devices of various kinds, so that charged particle trajectories can be very accurately determined.
Electromagnetic Calorimeter:
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This device measures the total energy of e+, e-, and photons. These particles produce showers of e+/e- pairs in the material. The
e-'s (or e+'s) are deflected by the electric fields of atoms, causing them to radiate photons. The photons then make e-/e+ pairs, which then radiate photons, etc. The number of final e+, e- pairs is proportional to the energy of the initiating particle.
Hadron Calorimeter:
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This device measures the total energy of hadrons. The hadrons interact with the dense material in this region, producing a shower of charged particles. The energy that these charged particles deposit is then measured.
Muon Chambers:
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Only muons and neutrinos get this far. The muons are detected, but the weakly interacting neutrinos escape. The presence of neutrinos can be inferred by the "missing" energy.
Magnet:
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The path of a charged particle curves in a magnetic field. The radius of curvature and direction tell the momentum and the sign of the charge.
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