A transition radiation detector which features accurate tracking and dE/dx particle identification

The authors describe the results of a test run involving a transition radiation detector (TRD) that can both distinguish electrons from pions with momenta greater than 0.7 GeV/c and simultaneously track particles passing through the detector. The particle identification is accomplished through a combination of the detection of transition radiation from the electron and the differences in electron and pion energy loss (dE/dx) in the detector. The dE/dx particle separation is most efficient below 2 GeV/c while particle ID utilizing transition radiation is effective above 1.5 GeV/c. Combined, the electron-pion separation is better than 5*10/sup 2/. The single-wire, track position resolution for the TRD is approximately 230 mu m.<
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