In this work, I present research focused on the development of the Muon Identifier (MID) detector for the proposed ALICE-3 experiment at CERN — a key component for advancing the study of heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. The study centers on the design, construction, and optimization of a 1 × 1 m² MID prototype chamber, composed of 40 plastic scintillator bars, each measuring 5 × 100 × 1 cm³. As part of a cost-effective strategy, I investigate the feasibility of reusing scintillator material from the decommissioned ACORDE detector, while ensuring competitive performance compared to alternative prototypes under evaluation. The prototype achieves detection efficiencies exceeding 95%, with an average light yield of approximately 40 photons per minimum-ionizing particle event. The work includes a comprehensive characterization of the detector response, geometric optimization, and detailed assessment of signal quality and timing resolution — providing critical input for the future design of a full-scale MID system. This research contributes to the advancement of detector technologies for next-generation heavy-ion experiments and supports the broader physics goals of the ALICE-3 program, particularly in enabling high-precision measurements of muon production in ultra-relativistic collisions.

yael.antonio.vasquez.beltran@cern.ch

Yael Antonio Vásquez Beltrán