What is the SπRIT TPC?



SAMURAI Pion Reconstruction and Ion Tracker Time Projecting Chamber (SπRIT TPC)

The SπRIT Time-Projection Chamber is a detector to take 3d picture of nuclear collisions. The box called the "Field Cage" contains gas and produces a constant electric field. When a particle flies through the field cage, electrons are knocked off the gas molecules, leaving a trail of electrons. The constant electric field causes the electrons to drift up to a two-dimensional pixel array, called the pad plane. The electrons are detected on the pad plane, creating a set two-dimensional image of their tracks. The time at which individual pads detect the signal can be used to determine the third dimension, creating a three-dimensional picture of how the particles move through the detector.
The SpiRIT TPC is funded by the Department of Energy as part of the Symmetry Energy Project.
TPC exploded view
Click to explore different parts of the TPC!