Using Timing Data to Measure Signal Attenuation in the G Scintillators

In this research project cosmic ray data will be used to measure signal attenuation and check the geometrical efficiency of the trigger along the G scintillators. For an equal amount of energy lost in the scintillator, the amplitude of the detected signal varies as the hit location along the scintillator varies. Particles that strike the scintillators cause the material to emit photons. The intensity of photons decreases due to different processes as they travel through the scintillators and the light guides (surface reflection). This attenuation is characterized by the attenuation constant μ in the equation A = A0e −μx, where x is the location of the hit. Timing information is used to measure the hit location. This report describes the setup used for the measurement as well as the analysis of the data. The values of the attenuation constants for the 16 scintillator pairs of Octant 5 are given.