e± identification using the drift chambers and transition radiators of the H1 forward track detector

The status of the operation and performance of the H1 Forward Track Detector at the HERA ep storage rings for the detection of electrons (e-) and positrons (e+) is reported. Events with charged particles produced at small angles (7 <θ<25 ) relative to the incident proton beam are reconstructed using radial wire and planar wire drift chambers with an accuracy of σ(p)/p2=0.027 GeV-1 for momenta p>3 GeV. Transition radiation X-rays, produced in polypropylene foil radiators immediately upstream of each radial wire drift chamber, are detected in the latter as ionisation charge additional to the usual dE/dx contribution. Progress towards achieving the design e/π discrimination of better than 10% π contamination for 90% e± acceptance, which has been established with single tracks, in the complex multi-track environment of ep events at HERA, is reported. (orig.)