Testing TGC detectors in a high rate environment

The TGC detectors are expected to provide the Muon trigger for the ATLAS detector in the forward region of the ATLAS Muon Spectrometer. The TGC detectors are expected to provide a trigger signal within 25 ns of the bunch spacing of the LHC accelerator, with an efficiency exceeding 95%, while exposed to an effective photon and neutron background ranging from 30 to 500 Hz/cm/sup 2/. In order to qualify the detectors and start its mass production, they have been exposed to a muon beam, while being irradiated with photons at the GIF facility at CERN. The results of such an exposure and the corresponding behavior of the detectors show that the TGC technique satisfies the requirements for its use in the ATLAS Muon Spectrometer. (1 refs).