Beam test of a Pb/SciFi prototype for the Barrel Imaging Calorimeter at the Electron-Ion Collider

Abstract

A Lead-Scintillating Fiber (Pb/SciFi) prototype for the Barrel Imaging Calorimeter (BIC) at the Electron--Ion Collider (EIC) was tested with electron beams at the CERN PS T10 beam line in August 2024. The prototype consisted of unit modules with a sampling structure of lead sheets and scintillating fibers, corresponding to a total depth of approximately $10.9X_0$. Beam tests were performed with electron momenta between 0.5 and 3~GeV/$c$ to evaluate the energy and timing performance of the prototype. This study characterizes the performance of a Pb/SciFi prototype and provides input for future beam tests, calibration and readout optimization, and the development of larger-scale prototypes.