Using the CERN Program-Library Graphics and Interactive Data Display

Small scale Monte Carlo programming is growing rapidly due to the ease with which complex problems may be formulated by any programmer. These programmers may choose to exploit graphics and interactive displays available in the program library developed and maintained by CERN (the Center for European Nuclear Research). This paper outlines the use of graphics and interactive data display features of the CERN program library, developed for visualizing simulated data events in particle detectors. One example uses GEANT, CERN\u27s Monte Carlo modeling program, to simulate 300 MeV/c protons incident on a silicon slab. Display packages for GEANT are available both on-line and off-line for 3-D tracking of particles through any detector system. On-line displays provide the user a qualitative sense of the inner workings of various detector components. On-line displays may be updated for each particle track in the detector system, so any design change in detector geometry or component material may have its consequences visualized immediately. This visualization is useful for repeatedly making gross changes in the detector system. CERN has been very generous in making its program library available to any institution tied to groups working on experiments at CERN, however peripherally