Large, light, high-acceptance CSC chambers for the PHENIX muon detector using a honeycomb panel design

The muon tracking system for the PHENIX detector uses cathode strip chambers (CSC) for the tracking detectors. These detectors must provide 58 micron resolution at each station to give satisfactory mass resolution of the vector mesons. Station 1 must have a high acceptance with a relatively low radiation length in order to avoid shadowing of the stations 2 and 3 via multiple scattering. We have built a full scale prototype of the station 1 detector using honeycomb panels for the substrate of the 20 mil G-10 etched cathode planes. The anode and o-ring planes are laminated to the cathode-covered honeycomb panels. The shape of the prototype is one quadrant of a 60" radius circle. Results of the mechanical and electrical tests are presented.