Laboratory Responsibilities

At present three institutes have taken up responsibilities for the mirror systems, Dubna, Mainz, and Turin. Mainz has submitted a request for funding of the mirror system for RICH2. Turin plans to ask for funding of the mirror system for RICH1.

The RICH mirrors can be designed and fabricated by Dubna if the feasibility of fabrication is proved and the corresponding funding is available. This study can start after the participation of the Dubna team in the COMPASS experiment is approved by J.I.N.R. management. The most important parameters which are needed to start this study, and which are not yet known are:

1. the size of the mirror modules and
2. the minimal thickness of the glass, which is still tolerable for the mirror considering limits on mechanical stability.
   

Ongoing Monte Carlo studies are expected to guide the final choices.

Depending on the results of the study (and mirror prototype construction) Dubna can take responsibility either for the entire job or for part of it (e.g. mirror coating). The possibility of doing moulding, grinding and polishing at CERN will be also studied.