An approach to light distribution for the calibration of high energy physics calorimeters

Abstract

In high energy physics experiments, calorimeters are calibrated to produce precise and accurate results. Laser light can be used for calibration when the detectors are sensitive to photons in that particular energy range, which is often the case. Moreover, it is not unusual that detection systems consist of hundreds of channels that have to be calibrated independently, which produce stringent requirements on the light distribution system in terms of temporal and spatial stability, energy distribution and timing. Furthermore, the economic factor and the ease of production have to be taken into account. We present a prototype light distribution system, based on a series of optical beamsplitters, developed for the Muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab.