Upgrade of the ALICE Inner Tracking System - First Thoughts

par Dr Petra Riedler (CERN)

jeudi 25 nov. 2010, 14:30 → 16:30 Europe/Paris

Salle Mondrian (a confirmer) (IPHC/DRS)

The ALICE Inner Tracking System (ITS) uses three different silicon detector technologies (hybrid pixels, drift detectors and strip detectors) to provide primary and secondary vertex information as well as PID of low p_T particles. The hybrid pixel detectors also provide a prompt low granularity L0 trigger signal for the experiment. An upgrade of the ITS aims to improve the impact parameter resolution to e.g. increase the sensitivity to charm, give access to charmed baryons or to allow the study of exclusive B decays. Several other features are also being considered, such as extending the acceptance to larger regions of pseudo-rapidity or to provide precise timing information. A strategic choice for the upgrade can only be taken when the current detector performance has been fully studied in heavy ion and proton runs. However, first discussions and R&D activities have already started to investigate the possibilities of novel technologies especially in the field of silicon pixel detectors. This presentation will give an overview of the current ITS and present some of the activities that have started on the R&D for a future ITS upgrade.