A neural network classifier for electron identification on the DAMPE experiment. (21st July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Droz, D.; Tykhonov, A.; Wu, X.; Alemanno, F.; Ambrosi, G.; Catanzani, E.; Santo, M.D.; Kyratzis, D.; Zimmer, S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of instrumentation. Volume 16:Number 7(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07-21
• Subjects: Particle identification methods -- Data analysis -- Particle detectors; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; 502.84
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/16/07/P07036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-0221

Abstract

Abstract: The Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is a space-borne particle detector and cosmic ray observatory in operation since 2015, designed to probe electrons and gamma rays from a few GeV to 10 TeV in energy, as well as cosmic protons and nuclei up to 100 TeV. Among the main scientific objectives is the precise measurement of the cosmic electron + positron flux, which, due to the very large proton background in orbit, requires a powerful particle identification method. In the past decade, the field of machine learning has provided us the needed tools. This paper presents a neural network based approach to cosmic electron identification and proton rejection and showcases its performance based on simulated Monte Carlo data. The neural network reaches significantly lower background than the classical, cut-based method for the same detection efficiency, especially at the highest energies probed by the detector. Good agreement between simulation and real data is demonstrated.