Preparing the ALICE-HMPID RICH for the high-luminosity LHC period 2021–2023

Abstract

Approaching successfully the end of the LHC Run2 period (2015–2018), the RICH based High Momentum Particle IDentification detector (HMPID) prepares for the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) Run 3 period (2020–2023) where the collider will provide up to 50 kHz of Pb-Pb collision rate at √ 𝑠NN = 5 TeV. The upgraded ALICE detector will be able to read out all interactions and it will exploit the fully scientific potential of the HL-LHC to study the properties of the Quark–Gluon Plasma phase (QGP), using proton–proton, nucleus–nucleus and proton–nucleus collisions at high energies. The ALICE continuous detector read out will ensure the Online/Offline (O2) identification of rare trigger topologies and an effective data compression factor. This paper presents the HMPID status and the activities under way to integrate the detector in the new ALICE O2 Trigger environments. The stable performance of the detector, the stability of the Multi-Wire Proportional Chamber (MWPC) during preliminary tests of high luminosity conditions in ALICE using pp collisions, and the progressing upgrading activities, support the participation of the HMPID in the ALICE scientific program defined for the HL-LHC period.