The optical system for the Big European Bubble Chamber

The optical system for the new giant bubble chamber, built for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), consists of four sets of fisheye windows, each equipped with a wide-angle lens which has an aperture angle of 108 degrees , while the fifth set has a periscope for visual observation of the chamber interior. Each of the fisheye sets is assembled from three hemispherical windows. The largest hemisphere is made from Schott BK7 glass and is exposed to the temperature of liquid hydrogen. The entire optical system has been operated successfully for the past 4 years. (13 refs).