Prototype of a cosmic muon detection system based on scintillation counters with MRS APD light readout

Scintillation tiles with MRS APD light readout (START) are proposed to be used as basic triggering units of a cosmic muon facility intended for regular tests of all of the numerous ALICE TOF modules in the course of their mass production and exploitation. A prototype 32-channel array of STARTs has been assembled and tested with cosmic rays and beam. With the bias voltage at approximately 50 V, the system has shown operational consistency and homogeneity, almost 100% detection efficiency over the whole surface and intrinsic noise of 10-2Hz per detecting unit. If STARTs are to be mass-produced, the cost of a mosaic array is estimated at a moderate level of 3-4kUSD/m2.