Optimization of Drift Chamber Performance for The Qweak Experiment

The Q-weak Experiment, currently running at Jefferson Lab, uses parity-violating electron-proton scattering to measure the weak charge of the proton. The weak charge of the proton is explicity predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics. Thus, by comparing Q-weak\u27s experimentally determined value to the theoretically predicted value of the weak charge, this experiment will test the standard model. One component of the experimental apparatus is a set of four vertical drift chambers, constructed at the College of William and Mary. These drift chambers are used to track electrons in the Q-weak experiment. The research presented in this paper focuses on optimizing the performance of these drift chambers, by analyzing how their behavior varies with operating conditions. Optimizing the performance of these chambers will help Q-weak to keep experimental uncertainties to a minimum