Orientation selective neural network for cosmic muon identification

We discuss a novel method for identification of a linear pattern of pixels on a two-dimensional grid. Motivated by principles employed by the visual cortex, we construct orientation selective neurons in a neural network that performs this task. The method is then applied to a sample of data collected with the ZEUS detector at HERA in order to identify cosmic muons that leave a linear pattern of signals in the segmented uranium-scintillator calorimeter. A two dimensional representation of the relevant part of the detector is used. The algorithm performs well in the presence of noise and pixels with limited efficiency. Given its architecture, this system becomes a good candidate for fast pattern recognition in parallel processing devices.