Test of a ring imaging Cherenkov counter

We have tested a ring imaging Cherenkov counter with readout of the projection chamber type. A specific detector response of N0=80 cm-1 was measured which corresponds to 8 photoelectrons per event in a 1.60 m long nitrogen radiator. The resolution of the ring radius was measured to be Δr/r=3.6%. The crosstalk between neighboring wires due to photons generated in the avalanche process was estimated to contribute up to 50% per hit. It was reduced considerably by inserting shielding walls between the wires and by adding C2H6 or iC4H10 to the CH4-TMAE gas mixture. (orig.)