Cerenkov technology is often the optimal choice for particle identification in high energy particle collision applications. Typically, the most challenging regime is at high pseudorapidity (forward) where particle identification must perform well at
high high laboratory momenta. For the upcoming Electron Ion Collider (EIC), the physics goals require hadron ($pi$, K, p) identification up to $sim$~50 GeV/c. In this region Cerenkov Ring-Imaging is the most viable solution. ewline The speed of light in a radiator medium is inversely proportional to the refractive index. Hence, for PID reaching out to high momenta a small index of refraction is required. Unfortunately, the lowest indices of refraction also result in the lowest light yield ($frac{dN_gamma}{dx} propto sin^2{left(theta_C right)}$) driving up the radiator length and thereby the overall detector cost. In this paper we report on a successful test of a compact RICH detector (1 meter radiator) capable of delivering in excess of 10 photoelectrons per ring with a low index radiator gas ($CF_4$). The detector concept is a natural extension of the PHENIX HBD detector achieved by adding focusing capability at low wavelength and adequate gain for high efficiency detection of single-electron induced avalanches. Our results indicate that this technology is indeed a viable choice in the forward direction of the EIC. The setup and results are described within.
We have developed and constructed the field cage of a prototype Time Projection Chamber for research and development studies for a detector at the International Linear Collider. This prototype has an inner diameter of 72 cm and a length of 61 cm. The
design of the field cage wall was optimized for a low material budget of 1.21 % of a radiation length and a drift field homogeneity of Delta(E)/(E) less or equal 10^-4. Since November 2008 the prototype has been part of a comprehensive test beam setup at DESY and used as a test chamber for the development of Micro Pattern Gas Detector based readout devices.
