The development of data analysis systems for bubble chambers, for spark chambers and for counter experiments

Abstract

Work done on bubble chamber data processing methods in the past two years is reviewed. It includes improvements to the now standard methods, development of new measuring devices, and progress on completely automatic systems. Most projects for automatic processing of spark chamber pictures take the most recent bubble chamber analysis techniques as their starting point, but several methods to determine spark positions without the use of film are reviewed in relation to their possible use in an automatic data analysis system. Development of data processing methods for counter experiments has shown two main features since 1980: (1) construction and use of a variety of digital data- handling systems, and (2) use of digital computers on-line to control data flow, to do a certain amount of processing during an experiment, and to carry out checks on the operation of the equipment. (A.G.W.)