Speaker
Description
We present results from a parasitic test of a SiPM-on-tile calorimeter prototype conducted during the 2024 proton-proton (pp) run at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), with a center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. The prototype, measuring 20 x 20 cm² and comprising 400 channels, serves as a critical testbed for the design of the Electron-Ion Collider's (EIC) Zero-Degree Calorimeter (η > 6) and Calorimeter Insert (3.0 < η < 4.0). This marks the first commissioning, operation, and calibration of a SiPM-on-tile calorimeter in a hadron collider environment. The study evaluates the prototype’s performance under realistic collider conditions, including effects of radiation-induced degradation, Minimum Ionizing Particle (MIP) response, and high-energy particle shower reconstruction in three dimensions. We detail the experimental setup, operational challenges, performance metrics, and insights drawn from both data and simulations. These findings will guide the ongoing development of the ePIC detector system.
