Performance of the CMS Zero Degree Calorimeters in pPb collisions at the LHC
O. Surányi, A. Al-Bataineh, Jonathan P. Bowen, S. I. Cooper, M. Csanád, V. Hagopian, D. Ingram, Charles Ferraioli, T. Grassi, R. G. Kellogg, E. Laird, G. Martı́nez, William Mcbrayer, A. Mestvirishvili, A. C. Mignerey, M. Murray, M. Nagy, Y. Onel, F. Siklér, M. Toms, G. I. Veres, Q. Wang
Abstract
Abstract The two Zero Degree Calorimeters (ZDCs) of the CMS experiment are located at ± 140 m from the collision point and detect neutral particles in the |η| > 8.3 pseudorapidity region. This paper presents a study on the performance of the ZDC in the 2016 pPb run. The response of the detectors to ultrarelativistic neutrons is studied using in-depth Monte Carlo simulations. A method of signal extraction based on template fits is presented, along with a dedicated calibration procedure. A deconvolution technique for the correction of overlapping collision events is discussed.