Performance of the multigap resistive plate chambers of the extreme energy events project

Garbini, M.; Abbrescia, M.; Avanzini, C.; Baldini, L.; Baldini Ferroli, R.; Batignani, L. G.; Battaglieri, M.; Boi, S.; Bossini, E.; Carnesecchi, F.; Chiavassa, A.; Cicalo, C.; Cifarelli, L.; Coccetti, F.; Coccia, E.; Corvaglia, A.; De Gruttola, D.; De Pasquale, S.; Fabbri, L.; Frolov, V.; Galante, L.; Galeotti, P.; Gemme, G.; Gnesi, I.; Grazzi, S.; Gustavino, C.; Hatzifotiadou, D.; La Rocca, P.; Mandaglio, G.; Maragoto Rodriguez, O.; Maron, G.; Mazziotta, M. N.; Miozzi, S.; Nania, R.; Noferini, F.; Nozzoli, F.; Palmonari, F.; Panareo, M.; Panetta, M. P.; Paoletti, R.; Pellegrino, C.; Park, W.; Perasso, L.; Pilo, F.; Piragino, G.; Pisano, S.; Riggi, F.; Righini, G. C.; Ripoli, C.; Rizzi, M.; Sartorelli, G.; Scapparone, E.; Schioppa, M.; Scribano, A.; Selvi, M.; Serci, S.; Squarcia, S.; Taiuti, M.; Terreni, G.; Trifirò, A.; Trimarchi, M.; Vistoli, M. C.; Votano, L.; Williams, M. C. S.; Zheng, L.; Zichichi, A.; Zuyeuski, R.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2018.09.007

The Extreme Energy Events (EEE) Project is devoted to the detection and study of high-energy cosmic rays. It is a network of 53 muon tracking telescopes made of three Multigap Resistive Plate Chambers (MRPC), synchronized by GPS and installed inside high schools distributed on the Italian territory. The EEE Project foresees also the direct involvement of students and teachers in the experiment, from the construction of the detectors to the maintenance, data taking and data analysis. The schools are unconventional experimental sites and a unique test field to check the performance of the MRPC technology. Data from recent coordinated data taking periods have been used to measure the performances and the results of this study are here reported.