Measurements of the energy of relativistic high energy charged particles by a novel superconducting transition radiation detector

In want of a detector capable of measuring accurately the energy of relativ istic high energy charged particles., a novel transition radiation detector (TRD) utilizing superheated superconducting microspheres of tin of 22-26, 27-32 and 32-38 mum in diameter respectively has been constructed. For the purpose of enhancing the TR effect, the TRD is operated at similar to 100 m K. A test has been conducted in a high energy electron beam facility at the CERN PS in the energy range of 1-10 GeV showing an energy dependence of th e TR X-ray photon produced and hence the value gamma = E/mc(2) of the charg ed particle, thus proving that the TRD is suitable for measuring the energy at least up to 10 GeV. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.