The straw tracker for the SDC detector

We have developed the baseline design for a straw drift tube tracking system for the Solenoidal Detector Collaboration (SDC) detector. The system was designed to operate in the high-rate environment of the SSC. We present an overview of the tracking system and the requirements it is expected to fulfil. We describe the construction and properties of the straw drift tubes. We discuss the design of the carbon-fiber foam-laminate shell, which supports the wire tension and holds the straw in alignment. We also describe the design of the mechanical support structure, assembly procedure, and utilities. We present the performance characteristics of the prototype straw modules, read out through prototype front end electronics. The straw modules satisfy the performance criteria.