FastDIRC: a fast Monte Carlo and reconstruction algorithm for DIRC detectors

FastDIRC is a novel fast Monte Carlo and reconstruction algorithm for DIRC detectors. A DIRC employs rectangular fused-silica bars both as Cherenkov radiators and as light guides. Cherenkov-photon imaging and time-of-propagation information are utilized by a DIRC to identify charged particles. GEANT-based DIRC Monte Carlo simulations are extremely CPU intensive. The FastDIRC algorithm permits fully simulating a DIRC detector more than 10000 times faster than using GEANT. This facilitates designing a DIRC-reconstruction algorithm that improves the Cherenkov-angle resolution of a DIRC detector by about 30% compared to existing algorithms. FastDIRC also greatly reduces the time required to study competing DIRC-detector designs.