Torch - A Cherenkov-based time-of-flight detector

Conference item

TORCH is an innovative high-precision time-of-flight system to provide particle identification in the difficult intermediate momentum region up to 10 GeV/c. It is also suitable for large-area applications. The detector provides a time-of-flight measurement from the imaging of Cherenkov photons emitted in a 1 cm thick quartz radiator. The photons propagate by total internal reflection to the edge of the quartz plate, where they are focused onto an array of photon detectors at the periphery. A time-of-flight resolution of about 10-15 ps per incident charged particle needs to be achieved for a three sigma kaon-pion separation up to 10 GeV/c momentum for the TORCH located 9.5 m from the interaction point. Given ∼ 30 detected photons per incident charged particle, this requires measuring the time-ofarrival of individual photons to about 70 ps. This paper will describe the design of a TORCH prototype involving a number of ground-breaking and challenging techniques.

Authors: Van Dijk, M; Brook, N; Cowie, E; Cussans, D; D'Ambrosio, C

• Publisher: Jagellonian University
• Host title: Acta Physica Polonica B, Proceedings Supplement
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 711-718
• Publication date: 2014-01-01
• DOI: 10.5506/APhysPolBSupp.7.711
• ISSN: 1899-2358