Simulations of the performance of the MVD in PHENIX

The PHENIX Multiplicity Vertex Detector (MVD) provides event characterization, a centrality trigger, collision vertex position, and measures fluctuations in charged particle multiplicities. The design criteria include a large rapidity coverage, good azimuthal coverage and granularity, minimizing material in the electron arm acceptance, and minimizing costs. The MVD contains two concentric barrels of Si strip detectors with two disk-shaped Si pad detector endcaps. Simulations show that the vertex position can be located to within a few hundred microns using hits in the barrels. A channel multiplicity signal is formed for use in the Level-1 trigger. The effect of the expected discriminator performance on this trigger signal will be shown. The pad and strip detectors are read-out with identical electronics. The influence of the performance of the electronics on the detector's performance are discussed.