06 November 2002

1
Forward Tracking RD at Louisiana Tech University

• Lee Sawyer

2
Proposed Work at Louisiana Tech

• Joint Proposal Evaluation of a GEM-Based
  Forward Tracker for the NLC (39k in Y1)
• Hardware Build a prototype GEM chamber suitable
  for (far) forward tracking
• Software Study design parameters for a tracker
  in the far-forward region.
• Since the proposal
• Additional funds requested from LA Board of
  Regents (3 proposals) for cathode manufacture,
  multiplexing circuitry, faculty student support
  ( 200k).
• Foils, test chamber ordered from Sauli at CERN
• Investigating alternate sources for foils (w/
  UTA, et al.)
• First meeting with OK on simulation studies
• Standalone GEM simulation software installed -gt
  simulate detector configurations

3
The Louisiana Tech NLC Group

• Sawyer, Parashar, Greenwood
• DoE-supported group working on D0
• Forest
• Medium-energy group (JLAB) developing GEM
  detectors for QWEAK experiment
• Facilities available include
• Detector development labs, Linux computer
  cluster, laser machining, micromanufacturing
  capabilities, clean rooms
• Both MS (physics) and PhD (engineering) students
  available to work the project
• Division of Labor
• Forest, Sawyer Hardware RD
• Parashar, Greenwood Monte Carlo studies

4
Plans for the Upcoming Year

• Hardware
• Setup GEM lab over the next 2 months (gas,
  electronics,..)
• Take delivery of test chamber from CERN in spring
• Build prototype readout board by summer
• First CR tests of 3-foil chamber this summer
• Software
• Plan simulation studies in concert with OK
• First results of standalone simulations by summer
• These items do not depend on the DoE supplement
• First foils chamber to be purchased with
  existing local funds
• Laser-cut prototypes of cathode plane begun
• More detailed studies, development of a prototype
  specific for NLC will depend on additional
  funding