CASTOR: Centauro and Strange Object Research in nucleus-nucleus collisions at LHC

We describe the CASTOR detector designed to probe the very forward, baryon-rich rapidity region in nucleus-nucleus collisions at the LHC. We present a phenomenological model describing the formation of a QGP fireball in a high baryochemical potential environment, and its subsequent decay into baryons and strangelets. The model explains Centauros and the long-penetrating component and makes predictions for the LHC. Simulations of Centauro-type events were done. To study the response of the apparatus to new effects different exotic species (DCC, Centauros, strangelets etc.) were passed through the deep calorimeter. The energy deposition pattern in the calorimeter appears to be a new clear signature of the QGP.Comment: Talk given by E. Gladysz-Dziadus for the CASTOR group, Intern. Workshop on Nuclear Theory, 10-15 June, 2002, Bulgaria, Rila Mountains, 15 pages, 14 figure

CASTOR detector: model, objectives and simulated performance

We present a phenomenological model describing the formation and evolution of a Centauro fireball in the baryon-rich region in nucleus-nucleus interactions in the upper atmosphere and at the LHC. The small particle multiplicity and imbalance of electromagnetic and hadronic content characterizing a Centauro event and also the strongly penetrating particles (assumed to be strangelets) frequently accompanying them can be naturally explained. We describe the CASTOR calorimeter, a subdetector of the ALICE experiment dedicated to the search for Centauro in the very forward, baryon-rich region of central Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC. The basic characteristics and simulated performance of the calorimeter are presented

Formation and detection of centauro in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC

We present a phenomenological model describing the formation of a quark-gluon plasma fireball in the very forward, baryon-rich rapidity region in nucleus-nucleus interactions, and its subsequent decay into baryons and possibly strangelets. The model explains the centauro events observed in cosmic rays and the long-penetrating component frequently accompanying. them, and makes predictions for the LHC. We describe the CASTOR calorimeter, a subdetector to probe the very forward, baryon-rich rapidity region in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC. The simulated response of the calorimeter to new effects is presented and its sensitivity is derived using a neural network technique. (17 refs)

Formation of Centauro in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC and their detection with the CASTOR detector of CMS

We present a phenomenological model describing the formation of a deconfined quark matter fireball in the very forward, baryon-rich rapidity region in nucleus-nucleus interactions, and its subsequent decay into baryons and possibly strangelets. The model explains the centauro events observed in cosmic ray data and the long-penetrating component frequently accompanying them, and makes predictions for the LHC. We describe the CASTOR calorimeter, a subdetector under consideration at the CMS experiment, to probe the very forward, baryon-rich rapidity region in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC. The simulated response of the calorimeter to new effects is presented and its sensitivity is derived using a neural network technique. (17 refs)

CASTOR detector: Model, objectives and simulated performance

We present a phenomenological model describing the formation and evolution of a Centauro fireball in the baryon-rich region in nucleus-nucleus interactions in the upper atmosphere and at the LHC. The small particle multiplicity and imbalance of electromagnetic and hadronic content characterizing a Centauro event and also the strongly penetrating particles (assumed to be strangelets) frequently accompanying them can be naturally explained. We describe the CASTOR calorimeter, a subdetector of the ALICE experiment dedicated to the search for Centauro in the very forward, baryon-rich region of central Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC. The basic characteristics and simulated performance of the calorimeter are presented. (22 refs)

Status of the HMPID CsI-RICH project for ALICE at the CERN/LHC

The ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) high momentum particle identification (HMPID) detector, presently under construction, consists of seven identical proximity focusing ring imaging Cherenkov (RICH) counters exploiting large area CsI photocathodes for Cherenkov light imaging. With a total area of 11 m/sup 2/, it represents the largest CsI-RICH system ever used in High Energy Physics. The detector layout, assembly and quality checks will be presented, with particular emphasis on CsI photocathodes mass production. A validation procedure has been established combining the results of the photocathode response mapping obtained in a dedicated VUV scanner with test beam data. The long-term stability has also been studied by irradiation with a Sr-90 source of a final size CsI photocathode inside a detector prototype