The AMS detector is optimized to identify charged particles of all types. We have to figure out the particle's identity (proton? electron? Lithium nucleus?), measure its energy and momentum, and the sign of its charge (positive or negative? Matter or antimatter?)

The particles can hit six different systems on the way through:

Detector Quantities measured How measured Science goal
Transition Radiation Detector "Energy/Mass" Anomalous X-ray emissions of fastest particles Distinguish protons/electrons at high energies

Time-of-flight Velocity, direction Measure time elapsed between two checkpoints Distinguish heavy particles at lower energies
Identify particles going in wrong direction
Charge Amount of ionization Measure charge, identify nuclei

Silicon tracker "Momentum/charge" Radius of curvature of path You need to know the momentum in order to understand most of the other quantities

Sign of charge direction of curvature Distinguish matter/antimatter

Charge Amount of ionization Measure charge, identify nuclei

Anti-coincidence counter Flags bad events for rejection triggered when something passes through sidewalls these events could potentially contaminate other physics

Ring-imaging Cerenkov counter Velocity angle of "optical sonic boom" distinguish protons/electrons at low energies, distinguish nuclei/isotopes at higher energy

Electromagnetic Calorimeter Energy Total amount of light emitted when stopping particle Accurate energy measurement supplements all other detectors

Particle type Pattern of energy deposition Distinguish electrons from protons

Detector	Quantities measured	How measured	Science goal
Transition Radiation Detector	"Energy/Mass"	Anomalous X-ray emissions of fastest particles	Distinguish protons/electrons at high energies
Time-of-flight	Velocity, direction	Measure time elapsed between two checkpoints	Distinguish heavy particles at lower energies Identify particles going in wrong direction
	Charge	Amount of ionization	Measure charge, identify nuclei
Silicon tracker	"Momentum/charge"	Radius of curvature of path	You need to know the momentum in order to understand most of the other quantities
	Sign of charge	direction of curvature	Distinguish matter/antimatter
	Charge	Amount of ionization	Measure charge, identify nuclei
Anti-coincidence counter	Flags bad events for rejection	triggered when something passes through sidewalls	these events could potentially contaminate other physics
Ring-imaging Cerenkov counter	Velocity	angle of "optical sonic boom"	distinguish protons/electrons at low energies, distinguish nuclei/isotopes at higher energy
Electromagnetic Calorimeter	Energy	Total amount of light emitted when stopping particle	Accurate energy measurement supplements all other detectors
	Particle type	Pattern of energy deposition	Distinguish electrons from protons