Extrapolating to the real detector


All our studies have been carried out using Monte Carlo data. We expect differences with real data. Here we outline some areas of concern.

Event generation

Event generators may not match well with real events or even with each other. In our benchmark Z->mu mu events Isajet produces much more underlying event than Pythia. Pythia with one background event is roughly comparable to Isajet with none.

The problem is more serious if our minimum bias bg events are not accurate because there can be many of these in ine interaction. our CPU time is a sensitive function of the number of bg events.

Detector response

The response of the real detector may differ from that of our simulation (d0gstar plus digitization). For example, the CFT simulation assumes more than 10 detect photons per fiber and a threshold of 0.5 while hardware is now producing 5-6 and a threshold of 2-3.

Detector inefficiencies

Reduced detector response and dead channels will lead to inefficiencies in the detector elements. Our present track-finding paths make optimistic assumptions about these efficiencies especially in the CFT. We can expect a significant increase in CPU time if we allow for these inefficiencies or a significant loss in track-finding efficiency if we do not.

Detector noise

If the detectors have more noise that expected, then we can expect an increase in the CPU time. If the noise is severe, then resolution may be degraded.


D0 Global Tracking Status GCAS March 2000 dladams@uta.edu