Particle Identification in High Energy Collisions at RHIC

Abstract

This article provides a technical introduction to the study of collider physics by focusing on the concept of particle identification (PID). Through a general overview of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the Pioneering High Energy Nuclear Interaction Experiment (PHENIX), the author discusses the role of Vanderbilt University researchers in collaborative work at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. After explaining the concept of event reconstruction and centrality with graphical images of experimental results, the author outlines the time-of-flight method of particle identification in high energy physics. A final presentation of the design concept for the Multi-Gap Resistive Plate Chamber (MRPC) integrates the more traditional foundations of theoretical physics with the next generation of physics experimentation in the field.