A drift tube detector for the DELPHI experiment

Abstract A wire chamber for an experiment at the CERN large electron-positron storage ring is described, which uses a mass conductive plastic as the cathode material for the construction of the detector. The development of the conductive plastic has been part of this project. This new material allows the information from the outer surface of the cathode to be picked up with metallic strips. The design of a precision table for positioning the anode wires was also included in this work. Construction and running experience is reported, with a description of various problems encountered and the efforts made to optimize this detector. Aging tests are also described.