Automated analysis of CCD recorded nuclear collisions in a streamer chamber

A series of software algorithms have been created to address the problem of automatic data analysis of digitized streamer chamber pictures obtained with charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras. Methods for track recognition, matching in three CCD camera views, three-dimensional track reconstruction and mass identification have been successfully developed and tested. The algorithms were based upon the design criteria of minimal complexity and maximum reliability. These analysis techniques have been applied to pictures of intermediate energy La + La collisions produced at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Streamer Chamber Facility. The present results indicate that such algorithms hold the promise of eliminating the standard, labor intensive, manual scanning of pictures presently required for film analysis.