What is inside the detector in a particle accelerator?

In summary, in a particle accelerator, the detector chamber is designed to be vacuum sealed and shield out external E and B fields. The colliding particles enter the chamber through a vacuum space and are affected by magnetic fields used to bend their trajectories for measurement. The impact of these fields on the actual collision is minimal.
  • #1
JADphysics
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What is inside the detector in a particle accelerator??

We need E and B fields to steer and focus beams in a particle accelerator, but all the calculations we do in QFT assume (apart from the colliding particles) that we are in the vacuum state. Does this mean there are no fields at the point of interaction of two beams? i.e., are detector chambers designed to be vacuum sealed and do they shield out external E and B fields? How then do the colliding particles enter the chamber?

Thanks.
 
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  • #2


The emission source is inside the chamber..?

Not sure what you mean though tbh.
 
  • #3


Galron said:
The emission source is inside the chamber..?

Not sure what you mean though tbh.

Sorry, I don't mean the emission chamber. The particles collide somewhere, presumably this happens at the center of the detector. What is that space? Is it a vacuum? Are there still stray fields from the accelerator ring? Does it matter if this is not a vacuum or if there are electric and magnetic fields around when the particles actually collide?
 
  • #4


Not only the center of the detector, but other regions like the beam pipe are kept in vacuum.
The detector set up usually consists of magnetic fields. It is used to bend the collision products and measure their momenta. The effect of this field on the interaction between particles during collision will be extremely small(if at all there is an effect).
 

Related to What is inside the detector in a particle accelerator?

1. What is the purpose of a detector in a particle accelerator?

The purpose of a detector in a particle accelerator is to measure and record the particles produced in collisions between accelerated particles. This allows scientists to study the properties and behavior of these particles, which can provide valuable insights into the fundamental nature of matter and the universe.

2. How does a detector in a particle accelerator work?

A detector in a particle accelerator typically consists of several layers of specialized detectors, such as silicon strips, wire chambers, and calorimeters. These detectors are designed to measure different properties of the particles produced in collisions, such as their charge, momentum, and energy. The data collected by these detectors is then processed and analyzed by computers to reconstruct the events that occurred during the collision.

3. What are the different types of detectors used in particle accelerators?

There are several types of detectors used in particle accelerators, including tracking detectors, which measure the trajectory and momentum of particles, and calorimeters, which measure the energy of particles. Other types of detectors include time-of-flight detectors, which measure the time it takes for particles to travel a certain distance, and Cherenkov detectors, which detect the faint light produced by high-energy particles as they pass through a medium.

4. How are detectors in particle accelerators designed and built?

Designing and building detectors for particle accelerators is a complex process that involves collaboration between physicists, engineers, and technicians. The design of a detector depends on the specific goals of the experiment and the type of particles being studied. Once the design is finalized, the detectors are built using specialized materials and technologies, such as silicon microchips and scintillating crystals.

5. What happens to the data collected by detectors in particle accelerators?

The data collected by detectors in particle accelerators is analyzed by scientists using specialized software and algorithms. This allows them to reconstruct the events that occurred during collisions and extract valuable information about the particles produced. The data is also shared with other scientists around the world, allowing for collaboration and further analysis of the results.

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