SDC muon tracking system

Summary form only. The design of a muon tracking system for the central region of the SDC detector is discussed. The basic tracking elements are aluminum drift tubes with circular cross section with simple field shaping electrodes. The maximum length of the tubes is 9 m and they are operated in proportional mode using a nonflammable gas mixture. These drift tubes are bonded together into modules using structural epoxy. Tubes are properly oriented and precision located during the module assembly by mechanical constraints which are built into the tube endcaps. CNC (computer numerical control) machined reference end plates ensure the relative alignment of anode wires within a module. The largest module is envisaged to be approximately 9 m×8 m and to contain a mixture of θ, φ, and stereo views. Finite element analysis shows that a three-point kinematic support can be used. Full length prototype detectors have been built and studied. Cosmic ray and beam tests have been performed