Overview
The ATLAS tracker system consists of three concentric layers: The pixel detectors, the Semi-Conductor Tracker (SCT) (link opens in a new window) (silicon strips) and the TRT straw-tube tracker. The SCT consists of 4 barrels and 2 endcaps, each with 9 disks. These detectors are now installed in the pit, and commissioning for physics started in late 2008.
Construction at RAL
The construction was a collaborative effort in which we (PPD & TD) worked very closely with colleagues from all over the world, but in particular UK University groups and Dutch colleagues in NIKHEF.
For the Barrel, we
- Built 730 modules - a little over a quarter of the total number.
- Made the cooling circuits.
- Assembed the services to the carbon-fibre cylinders.
- Supported module mounting at Oxford.
For the End-cap, we
- Designed the support structures.
- Made the cooling circuits.
- Assembled the services to the carbon-fibre disks.
- Supported the End-cap assembly at Liverpool.
- Arranged the transport of the UK End-cap to CERN.
And in general for the whole SCT, we
- Undertook performance studies to guide the design.
- Oversaw much of the SCT and tracker engineering.
- Designed most of the services from the detectors to the PPF1 patch panels.
- Undertook much of the DAQ commissioning.
Operation of the SCT
Now we are actively participating in the operation of this detector. We have an on-going responsibility for the readout and detector controls and are part of the team ensuring the detector works as expected during data-taking.
